LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Shelf..* 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 




S.g.^s*.^ 



ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

A MEMOIR 



MARY H. PORTER 



Published for the benefit of the Oberlin Missionary Home 
Association, Oberlin, Ohio. 






Fleming H. Revell Company, 

CHICAGO: I NEW YORK: 

148 and 150 Madison St. 30 Union Square, East. 

Publishers of Evangelical Literature 



OO 



THE LIBRARY 
OF CONGRESS 

WASHINGTON I 



Tu<fPL 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1892 

By Fleming H. Revell Company 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington D.C. 



TO MY FATHER. 

WHOSE DAILY LIFE TAUGHT HIS CHILDREN THE DEEPER 
MEANING OF THE WORDS "OUR FATHER" AND WHOSE 
TENDER LOVE WAS THE ATMOSPHERE, ILLU- 
MINED BY THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, IN 
WHICH SHE OF WHOM THESE PAGES TELL, 
LIVED FOR MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS, 
THEY ARE DEDICATED BY. 

HIS DAUGHTER. 



Where one wishes to secure the portrait of a friend, 
he seeks an artist, with power to see, and yet rarer 
power to reproduce, with skilled hand, that which he 
sees. Far more would one desire for the writing of 
the life history of a beloved one, trained literary 
workmanship. So I could wish, that someone accus- 
tomed to word-painting, having at once true compre- 
hension and delicate touch might have been found to 
place the story recorded here, in permanent form. No 
such hand was ready for the task and I have, with 
great hesitation, essayed it; and now send out the 
little volume conscious of its inadequacy, yet hop- 
ing that it may recall to those who knew and 
loved Mrs. Porter the rare sweet personality which 
it can neither describe nor reproduce. "The equipoise 
of her belief and conduct, stamped on the mind, a sense 
of the nearness, the reality, and power of God in the 
soul." If anything of her true life lies in these pages, so 
that they carry forward in any degree this ministry 
of her earthly service, now that she has passed into the 
heavenly, they will fulfill the largest hope of the filial 
affection which has prompted their compilation. 

It is fitting that she who. so loved children, to 
whom those separated in youth from their parents, 
peculiarly appealed, should be linked with the effort 
now making to secure a suitable home for the chil- 
dren of foreign missionaries who come to this coun- 
try for education. These memoirs are therefore pub- 
lished at her husband's expense that all proceeds from 
their sale maybe given to the Missionary Home Associ- 
ation of Oberlin, Ohio. 

M. H. P. 

Be hit, Oct. iJtA, i8gz. 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 9-21 
CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 

Ancestry — Birth — Death of Father— Separation from 
Mother — Franklin Home — Brother Joseph — Mrs. Chap- 
pel — Early religious experience — Rochester school life 
— Teaching — Association with Mrs. Spencer — Illness — 
Sources of Information. 

CHAPTER II. 

PAGE 22-31 

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND ASSOCIATIONS. 

Story of renewed life — Rochester Associations — In- 
fant shool teaching — Bishop "Whiten ouse — Dr. Finney 
— Mr. and Mrs Burchard — Dr. James — Mrs. Chappel's 
death. 

CHAPTER III. 

PAGE 32-42 
EARLY JOURNALS — BEGINNING OF WORK ON THE FRON- 
TIER. 

Old Manuscripts— Mr. and Mrs. Loomis — Mackinaw 
Mission — Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stuart — Rededication 
— Rules and regulations of life. 

CHAPTER IV. 

PAGE 43-65 
MACKINAW JOURNALS 1832. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell — Fort Holmes — Rumors of In- 
dian outbreaks — Cholera — Mr. Ayer — Indian from Rice 
Lake — Phjsical Infirmities. 



vi CONTENTS 

CHAPTER V. 

PAGE 66-80 
TRIP TO NEW YORK TO SECURE TEACHERS FOR THE INDI- 
AN COUNTRY. 

Failing health— Thursday evening prayer meeting- 
Leaving Mackinaw— Tedious voyage— Detroit — Among 
old friends — Utica — New York — Chappel Infant School 
Society. 

CHAPTER VI. 

PAGE 80-90 
RETURN TO MACKINAW 1833. 

Return trip — Visit at Perrysburg — Return to Mackinaw 
CHAPTER VII. 

PAGE 92-99 

OPENING OF WORK AT POINT ST. IGNACE. 

Miss. Owen — Miss. Plimpton — Missionaries of the In- 
dian Country — Work at St. Ignace — Degradation of 
people — Leaving Mackinaw — Arrival in Chicago. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

PAGE IOO-IIO 

SCHOOL, WORK IN CHICAGO. 

Opening of School — Boarding department — Normal 
pupils — Religious awakening — Communion Service — 
Trip to Mackinaw — Miss Grant of Ipswich. 

CHAPTER IX. 

PAGE III-I26 

MARRIAGE AND MOTHERHOOD. 

Rev. Jeremiah Porter — Early life and education — 
Work in Sault Ste Marie — Arrival in Chicago — Peoria 
Dr. and Mrs. Cross — Birth and death of first child — Eli- 
jah Lovejoy — Mr. Porter's illness — Removal to Farm- 
ington — Call to Green Bay — The journey with sick 
child — Hadley cousins — Arrival at Green Bay — Death 
of infant. 

CHAPTER X. 

PAGE I27-I46 
GREEN BAY LIFE. THE HOME AND THE PARISH, 

The old house— The plaj^ground— Neighbors— Do- 
mestic arrangements— Early separation from children 



CONTENTS vii 

— Number in household — Country parishioners — Un- 
derground Railway Service — Home incidents and 
habits — Mr. and Mrs. Tank. 

CHAPTER XI. 

PAGE I47-156 
THE SCHOOL IN THE COURT HOUSE. HOME LIFE AND 
OTHER INTERESTS. 

School and household arrangements — Family life — 
Love of the Bible — Juvenile Missionary Society — Home 
Missionary boxes — Leaving Green Bay. 

CHAPTER XII. 

PAGE I57-I6I 
THE CHICAGO PARISH 1858 — 1861. BEREAVMENT. THE 

WAR. 

The Edward's chapel — Chicago home — Death of Ro- 
bert. Of Charlotte — Silver Wedding — The opening of the 
war. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

PAGE l62-l86 

NORTHWESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION. WORK IN THE 

ARMY. 

"Our branch and its Tributaries" — A Sabbath Service 
with the fugitives — Cairo — Mound City — Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke and Mrs. Porter — Fort Pickering — Diet Kitchen — 
School at Shiloh — A correspondence — Every day life at 
the Fort — Influence with the men — Return to the North 
— In Chicago office — First effort to secure furloughs for 
convalescents — Corinth — Vicksburg — Letter from Mrs 
Bickerdyke. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

PAGE 187-209 
REPORTS MADE TO SANITARY COMMISSION. 

Field hospitals— "Mother Bickerdyke" — Harrowing 
scenes— Mule train— Value of Sanitary Stores— Resaca 
—Kingston— Deserted confederate hospital— Amputa- 
ted Cases. 

CHAPTER XV. 

PAGE 210-228 
ARMY WORK CONTINUED. 

Thoughtful care— Military Pass — Marietta — Mr. 



viii CONTENTS 

James Porter's escape — Testimonials from Confeder- 
ates — Trip to Arkansas — Letters to President Lincoln — 
Louisville — The remanded steamer — Texas — Rio 
Grande Seminary — Reception in Chicago. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

PAGE 229-244 
PRAIRIE DUCHIEX AND BROWNSVILLE. 

Family events — The new house and parish — Letter 
with regard to her daughter — The leavetaking— 
Brownsville — The Misses Grant — Letter from Mrs. 
A. H. Smith — Death of Mary Tank — Ordination of 
Son— Fort Sill. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

PAGE 246-262 
GARRISON LIFE. WORK IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. 

Garrison homes — Winters in Chicago — The first 
grand-child — Judge Williams' family — Mrs. Tank's be- 
nevolences — Fort Russell — Soldiers under arrest — Re- 
turn and marriage of H. D. P. — Family reunion — Close 
of army life — First visit to California — Detroit home 
—Winters in Texas— Story of work there by Miss 
M. J. Adams — Porter Chapel. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

PAGE 263-279 

INDIAN SUMMER. 

Golden Wedding — Poem by H. D. P. — California again 
— Return of daughter — Thanksgiving at Mr. Blateh- 
ford's — "My Birthday" — Tampa — Letter from Mrs. 
Allen — A summer in Beloit — Letter from Mrs. Emerson 
— From Mrs. Chapin — Last message to W. B. M. I. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

PAGE 280-306 

THE LAST DAYS. 

"Abide with me/ — Last visit in Chicago — Letters to 
H. D. P. — Journey to California — Santa Barbara — Let- 
ter to Mrs. Goble — Christmas eve. — The last letter — 
Illness — "The victory which overcometh" — New Years 
morning — Service at S B. — Letters from W. B. M. I. — 
Letter from H. D. P. — Memorial services — Chicago — 
Austin — Pang Chuang. 



CONTENTS ix 

CHAPTER XX. 

PAGE 282-334 

IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER. 

Sketch by Rev. F. B Perkins— Extract from sermon 
by Dr. Little — Letters — Prof. Porter — Session first Pres- 
byterian Church — President Chapin — Dr. Moses Smith 
— Mrs. M. L. Huntington — Rev. S. E. LathrGp — 
H. T. Chappel— Prof. Emerson — Mrs. Li verm ore — Mrs. 
Henshaw — Rev. and Mrs. E. M. Williams. 

APPENDIX. 

PAGE 335 

MEMORIAL SERVICES IN CHICAGO. 

Addresses by President F. W. Fisk D. D. and Rev. 
John Barrows D. D. 

PAGE 347 

A MESSAGE TO THE WOMEN OF WISCONSIN. 

PAGE 350 

RELATION TO WOMEN'S BOARD OF MISSIONS OF THE 
INTERIOR. MRS. MOSES SMITH. 

PAGE 352 

EXTRACT FROM ADVANCE ACCOUNT OF A FRIDAY MEET- 
ING OF W. B. M. I. 

page 355 
LETTER FROM MRS. BICKERDIKE. 

page 359 
" " A WAGON MASTER. 

PAGL 360 

A REMARKABLE LIFE. 



"They that wait on the Lord shall renew their 
strength ; they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; 
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and 
not faint." 

Isaiah 40. 31. 



Eliza Chappell Porter 

CHAPTER I 

CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 

At the very beginning of this century two fami- 
lies came from Connecticut to Western New York, 
to try the fortunes of the then new country, those 
of Robert Chappell and Timothy Kneeland. 

There is a tradition that this Robert Chappell 
was descended from Des Chappelles, Huguenots 
banished from France under the edict of Nantes 
in 1688, who found refuge, with their persecuted 
brethren, in England. The earliest certain record, 
however, which we have of the Chappell family, 
is of the coming to this country of twin brothers, 
Caleb and Joshua — fitly named as the searchers 
out of a new land — about 1750 from Wales. The 
latter married Abigail Beattie, who became the 
mother of another Joshua Chappell. This Joshua 
married Bathsheba Brewster, a great grand- 



10 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

daughter of Elder William Brewster, leader of the 
pilgrim band which landed in Plymouth in 1620 
She was the mother of several sons, one of whom 
died in military service near Bunker Hill during 
the revolutionary war, and two others were lieu- 
tenants in the federal army. Of these two, Robert 
married a daughter of a physician in Marlboro, 
Conn., Dr. Timothy Kneeland, one of whose sons 
was also a soldier. Dr. Kneeland died when his 
eldest daughter, Elizabeth, was about sixteen 
years of age, and a little later she became the wife 
of the young lieutenant, whose home from child- 
hood had been on an adjoining farm. After some 
years Mr. Chappell with his brother-in-law, Timo- 
thy Kneeland, and their households emigrated to 
Franklin County, New York, and began life anew 
with high hopes of prosperity. Some defect in 
the land titles, however, brought great loss and 
disappointment, and led Mr. Chappell to seek 
another place. This time he found a home in the 
rich and beautiful valley of the Genesee, in which 
many of his descendants are still living. Here at 
Geneseo, on the 5th of November, 1807, his 
eighth child, Eliza Emily, was born. In 181 1 the 
father died leaving one son younger than Eliza, 
and four sons and two daughters older than her- 
self. A family of seven for the widowed mother to 
care for, beside the eldest married daughter, whose 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 11 

home was always open to them, and where the 
mother and one or another of the younger children 
were often to be found. Here the little girl, with 
blood of Huguenots and Pilgrims in her veins, 
heard from her mother stories of a heroic past, 
and dreamed her dreams of a heroic future. She 
was a bonny child, plump and fair, with curling 
auburn hair, and bright grey eyes, deft of hand 
and fleet of foot. From her earliest years she 
knew much of sorrow; felt it most keenly as it 
touched those dearest to her, and from her youth, 
scarcely past early girlhood, she was a constant 
physical sufferer. But she knew also, oh ! so well ! 
the "victory which overcometh" and so she became 
the glad undaunted, bright-faced woman whom 
we remember. The childhood of the little girl 
was marked by a few events of which she spoke so 
feelingly, as circumstances arose to recall them, 
that the depth of their influence impressed every 
one who knew her intimately. The first of these 
was the death of her father, and the peculiar close- 
ness of her sympathy with her mother's grief. Al- 
though but four years old, this sorrow affected her 
whole life. She used often to say: "I was nursed 
in a widow's bosom." The elder daughters were 
married and had homes of their own, while she, 
the youngest, was left with the lonely mother and, 
at a very early age became the sharer of her 



12 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

anxieties for the brothers, and, during the years 
when most children are busy with play, she was 
planning how to "help mother." So wise was the 
little brain, so keen the judgment that, perhaps 
more than was quite wholesome for the child, or 
than the mother realized, she was permitted to 
share in family councils. In such companionship 
she not only had glimpses of the many perplexities 
of the mature life, but saw also how by faith that 
mother laid hold of God's promises, and how real 
a thing was the intercourse of the loyal submissive 
soul with its Heavenly Father. The second event 
which marks an epoch was her first separation 
from this mother. A niece of Mrs. Chappell's of 
about her own age, a Mrs. Brower of Franklin, 
New York, came on a visit to Geneseo and asked 
that little Eliza might return with her to her home. 
Her husband was a prosperous farmer, they had a 
home of comfort, for that time of luxury, and were 
anxious to adopt the bright precocious child, as 
their own. The widowed mother, knowing how 
many advantages they could give the little girl, 
which it was quite beyond her power to provide, 
left the question largely to her own decision. The 
child consented to go, but on condition that it 
should be as their "little cousin," protesting, with 
bitter tears, against the plan for adoption. Her 
promise once given she felt that she could not re- 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 13 

tract, but she remembered and told in her old age 
the story of the struggle, and the sense of deso- 
lation, with which, bound by her own word, she 
set out on the journey of two hundred and fifty 
miles. Mr. and Mrs. Brower had two sons, older 
than herself, her companions and schoolmates, 
and the vivacious little girl was soon the joy of the 
household. On the farm, in the charming country, 
her love of natural beauty was cultivated, while 
in the well ordered and generously hospitable 
home, she learned the arts of housewifery which 
were to aid her, in later life, to her rare skill in 
homemaking. She must have been a fascinating 
little maiden, for after years of physical suffering 
and burden bearing she had an exhaustless fund of 
quiet humor, and her merry laugh was infectious. 
But in those days she was strong and well, over- 
flowing with physical life. Easily distancing her 
boy cousins in study, she was ambitious to rival 
them also in outdoor sports. Mr. Brower, a tall 
strong farmer, delighted to carry the petite maiden 
on his shoulder, and to listen to her wise questions 
and merry chatter from that perch; or to have 
her follow him from field to field, over the rich 
farm — and those years were to her a time of 
healthful development in many ways. But under 
the merriment was often a heavy heart, and deeper 
than the gatitude to these friends lay a resolve which 



14 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

expressed itself, on her return at twelve years of 
age to her mother, as she threw herself into her 
arms and felt her embrace about her: "I kept my 
word and went, now I will never leave you again." 
The intensity of her sympathy for homesick chil- 
dren and the depth of her conviction that no supe- 
rior advantages elsewhere could make it wise to 
sever the natural ties in even the poorest home 
gave a suggestion of what those years had cost her. 
Her girlhood was shadowed by a sorrow more 
grievous, and in which there was an element of 
discipline more painful, than in most bereave- 
ments. Her second brother Joseph, then a man 
of nearly thirty, left his home for the South. After 
he reached New Orleans no word of him ever 
came to the family. It was one of the years dur- 
ing which yellow fever prevailed and he was, doubt- 
less, among its victims. The eldest brother was a 
soldier in the Canadian war, for some months a 
prisoner among a very rough and wicked set of 
men. As he was not a Christian the widowed 
mother's anxieties and prayers for him were 
scarcely less agonizing than for the other. The 
loving hearted daughter and sister entered into 
each grief bearing it for her mother as well as for 
herself. So through anxious watchings, hope de- 
ferred the longing for tidings which never came, 
the young soul was learning fortitude and equip- 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 15 

ing itself with that armor of trust and calm 
which were to make her at once the tenderly sym- 
pathetic and the strong serene consoler of so 
many. The happy stories of her childhood were 
all connected with the farm life in Franklin. It 
seems as if her children must have seen, so clear 
is the picture from oft repeated description, the 
rustic bridge from which she fished in the clear 
brook for minnows; the big wheel and the little 
wheel in the kitchen of the farm house. Ambitious 
to spin, as to do everything else well, it may be 
that in this form of "light gymnastics" she acquired 
the erect carriage and quick even step which were 
so characteristic even after years of feebleness. 
An aged and almost helpless father of Mr Brower's 
was one of the household and in affectionate at- 
tendance upon him the little girl .came to have a 
very tender and reverent regard for old age, which, 
all through her life, made her peculiarly quick to 
see its needs, and thoughtful for its limitations. 
When at twelve years of age the little girl returned 
to her mother at Geneseo, this simple natural 
childlife was exchanged for one of constant burden 
bearing. She studied at school and worked at home 
far beyond her strength and probably thus laid the 
foundation for the lifelong suffering which she bore 
so bravely. Her mother was a woman of strong 
emotions and fervent piety. She is well described 



16 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

in a passage from a recent book in regard to a 
New England woman of the same generation. "I 
can only compare our mother to an officer to whom 
is committed the task of bringing the household 
of a king from a distant province through an un- 
friendly country, to the capital of the empire, 
whose loyalty and devotion were so ardent that he 
would gladly give up his own life rather than that 
one of those committed to his care should be lost. 
But she was not content with this, she would lay 
hold of those by the wayside and by the sweet com- 
pulsion of her prayers win them to become her al- 
lies and escorts." Mrs. Chappell's anxiety for the 
eternal welfare of her children was intense and they 
were kept perhaps in too constant thought of the 
world as an "enemy's country." The only surviv- 
ing brother of Eliza still speaks with strong repug- 
nance of the preaching of that day, to which they 
listened, and one by one as the sons were brought 
to Christ they entered the Methodist church, where 
more was said of free grace than of election, and 
where their strong emotional natures found happy 
expression, amid a circle which welcomed instead 
of repressing their enthusiasm. The little sister 
was of a different mould. She had a natural taste 
for metaphysics, read Edward and other theolog- 
ical works with avidity. The difficulty of a prob- 
lem was a challenge to her mental power and at- 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 17 

tracted rather than repelled. She would not evade 
or shrink from the severest truth but set herself 
"By searching to find out God." In her fourteenth 
year she united with the Presbyterian church of 
which her mother was a member. She says of 
her youth: "I do not remember the time when I 
had not deep convictions of sin and firm purpose 
to be a Christian. I wept, fasted, prayed and 
studied my Bible but no light came." Her physi- 
cal condition doubtless contributed not a little to 
the severity of the mental struggle, and as cer- 
tainly, the distress of mind aggravated the bodily 
ailments and prevented recuperation. It probably 
never occurred to the friends of the struggling 
child, who burdened no one with the questions 
which oppressed her life, that healthful exercise 
and long hours of sleep were more necessary to 
clear vision of spiritual things at that crisis in her 
experience than "Fasting and prayer" and she 
was encouraged in, rather than withheld from the 
"religious exercise," which seem so pathetic as 
part of the experience of a conscientious and gentle 
girl. At fifteen she went with her mother to 
Rochester and boarded in the family of the Rever- 
end Mr. Everest while she attended school. 

A year of study amid congenial surroundings 
stimulated her desire for larger opportunities for 
intellectual attainment, but the death of her second 



1« ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

sister, Mrs. Cornelius Weeks, took both her mother 
and herself back to Geneseo. There were four 
motherless children left to be cared for, the young- 
est an infant of only five days. These Eliza took 
to her heart and shared with her mother the home 
care. She took charge of the neighboring district 
school at sixteen, and so had the older nephews 
and niece with her in the schoolroom as well as in 
the household. Longing to fit herself for higher 
teaching, she studied and read at every leisure 
hour, until her over-taxed body and mind were 
quite exhausted and her cousins Deacon and Mrs. 
Brower coming from Franklin to make a visit were 
shocked at her changed appearance and insisted 
on taking her back with them to the beautiful 
home of her early girlhood. The boys grown to 
manhood were delighted to welcome their little 
"pious cousin," for, serious as were her views of 
life, and severe as she was with herself, she was a 
charming companion, sympathetic, eager, keen of 
wit and quick at repartee. She was immediately 
placed under the care of the family physician and 
improved in the comparative freedom from care 
and under judicious treatment. But she was not 
content to be idle and engaged to teach in the 
vicinity in the spring. She kept the school about 
six months. All those who came under her influ- 
ence were impressed by the depth and earnestness 



CHILDHOOD 4ND YOUTH 19 

of her religious life, but she was sadly dissatisfied 
with her own attainments and studied her Bible 
with constant longing to know more of the things of 
God. The following autumn she returned to 
Geneseo but was unfit to go to the home where 
her mother had charge of the group of little chil- 
dren, so spent the winter in the family of her 
Uncle Kneeland about a mile away. A Mrs. 
Spencer, who afterward became the wife of Major 
General Eaton, Commissary General U. S. A., 
was residing in her widowhood at Geneseo, with 
an only daughter. A brother of her husband pro- 
posed to provide for the education of the child in 
New England and the mother gratefully accepted 
his generous offer. She learned later that it was 
his plan to send the child to a Unitarian school, 
and he was so offended at her protest against plac- 
ing her daughter under such influence that he re- 
fused to do anything for her. Mrs. Chappell greatly 
rejoiced in Mrs. Spencer's faith and firmness and 

when she decided to open a private school in G 

for young ladies and thus support herself and her 
child, Eliza was glad to become her assistant. 
Still contending against disease she entered heart- 
ily into this work, but before spring she was en- 
tirely prostrated and was carried to her sister 
Dolly's as all thought, to linger and die. Her sis- 
ter watched in one room over her own daughter, 



20 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

Evelina, who after months of extreme suffering 
passed away, while in another Mrs. Chappell cared 
for Eliza. For nine months she was very ill and 
grew so weak that physicians despaired of her 
recovery. 

She said little in after years of the physical suffer- 
ing of this time except in occasional reference to the 
crude medical and surgical efforts for her relief. 
Her spine was marked from the base of the brain 
its whole length by the scars of the tooth-like 
lancets used with the cups, and in many places by 
those of the cautery. She was so salivated by 
calomel that she lost all her teeth before she was 
twenty-five, and "suffered many things of many 
physicians." While she spoke rarely and never in 
detail of these things the story of another phase of 
her experience during those months has been often 
repeated: not as a commonplace tale, but in 
hours of deep tender confidence when she longed 
to impart to some other soul the "comfort with 
which she herself had been comforted of God." 
Some twenty years ago, one of her children asked 
her to prepare a record of her early years, that the 
story might be preserved for her family. She had 
not strength for the writing, as she was then as in 
her youth, giving her time to teaching, and too 
weary to use her pen when that was over, but she 
recalled the various incidents recorded in this 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 21 

chapter and her husband wrote them out for the 
gratification of the absent daughter. From this 
record and the recollections of the one or two of 
her own generation who survive her this sketch of 
her childhood and early youth has been prepared. 
But the other story that of the real, the inner life, I 
shall venture to give in no other words than her 
own. Only those who knew her, and saw from day 
to day, how constantly and consciously the out- 
ward life which she lived in the flesh, was subor- 
dinated to and dominated by, the hidden life of the 
spirit can comprehend what this experience was. 



CHAPTER II 

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND ASSOCIATIONS 

"For nearly two years I had been living * under 
the law' and had lost all view of Christ as my 
Saviour. Condemned by a holy law I could see 
no escape from the wages of sin. Yet I admired 
the law, saw that it was perfectly holy, but I was 
'carnal sold under sin.' God had done all he could 
to save me, yet my day of grace was past ! 

"My mother had said to me one day on coming 

into my room, when all despaired of my life, as 

she looked at me with distress and tender love: 

"My daughter I cannot let you die. I have long 

felt that God promised me that you should live to 

be my comforter in age, and close my eyes in 

death. If this promise fails then all my hopes may 

be groundless. If one link is broken the chain 

falls.' I said: "You must give me up or, I 

think, God must certainly take me from you.' She 

left me and at night came back, after a day of 

fasting and prayer, her face radiant with joy, and 

said: 'I can give you up, my child. I can live 

without you if this is God's will. You may go. 

22 



RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND ASSOCIATIONS 23 

Jesus will be with me and with you.' After this 
I grew weaker and weaker until all strength 
seemed gone. I had my Bible under my pillow as 
was my habit for years. Hardly having strength 
to draw it out I asked myself: 'Do you believe 
this Book is the word of God?' Yes! Do you 
really believe every word of it. Yes! Every 
promise and every threatening? Yes! Do you 
believe there is a hell? Yes! I know there is, for 
I have felt it in my own heart. It is separation 
from God. Do you believe there is a heaven. 
Yes! I know there is. It is being like God. I 
know the Bible is true for it is exactly fitted to 
the wants of my soul. He that made my soul 
made the Bible. 'Will you believe what you 
now find in that Book as you open it?' 'I will.' 
I opened the Bible with trembling hand and read: 
'He that believeth on me though he were dead 
yet shall he live, and he that liveth and believeth 
on me shall never die.' John ii. 25-26. The 
whole plan of salvation by faith seemed to flash 
upon my mind. It was wonderful, beautiful, en- 
rapturing. My joy was unutterable. I saw that 
the design of God in all these years of trial and dis- 
cipline was to bring me to cease from self and 
rest in Christ alone. I calmly, triumphantly cast 
all my care on him. As I read the words of verse 
twenty-seven: 'Yea! Lord I believe that Thou 



24 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come 
into the world,' my soul was melted with intense 
gratitude and love. I had as much joy as my 
heart could hold. The simple plan of salvation 
by Christ alone, without the deeds of the law, 
burst fully upon my longing weary heart — and I 
exclaimed in wonder and ineffable love: 'Is this 
all, is this all.' Taking God at His word!" 

Now she longed to live that she might serve the 
Lord who had done so much for her, and made 
every effort to gain strength. Medicines seemed 
useless. She had taken them until her system 
responded only to excessive doses. She put them 
all away, and encouraged by a kind Christian 
physician, began to use the remnant of strength 
left her. Unable to walk she crept about her room 
a few feet at a time, until she gained some control 
of her limbs. Then she again learned to walk, and 
with marvelous courage and persistence, fought 
inch by inch her way back to comparative health. 
Her life, so redeemed, given back from the grave, 
she counted as in a peculiar sense "not her own," 
and her journals and letters all through the years 
reveal the clearness of her conviction that she held 
it only as she used it for Him whose it was. Each 
new demand for self-sacrifice seemed to carry her 
back to that first consecration. She could not 
hesitate. She dare not shrink. She was the Lord's, 



RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND ASSOCIATIONS 25 

He should do what He would with His own — and 
in that might this invalid of twenty rose from her 
bed of pain, for sixty years of service. This "body 
of death" in physical suffering, she carried with her 
through the long pilgrimage, but her freed spirit 
triumphed during toilsome days and weary nights 
as it did when rest was near, and she said with a 
smile to comfort those who stood about her: "Do 
not grieve, it is not I that suffer, only my poor 
body." There may have been hours of struggle 
and darkness later. If so no human friend knew 
them. To the circle whom her life blessed in 
closest ties of relationship, or to the larger circle 
whom it touched in friendship and affectionate 
ministry, she seemed the embodiment of courage- 
ous and dauntless faith. Faith which over and 
over again "removed mountains" of difficulty and 
opposition, and made her life like a streamlet, flow- 
ing often in quiet hidden ways, but carrying wher- 
ever it went health, cheer and blessing. Could 
she have attained this high vantage ground by any 
other pathway? That question who can answer? 
But surely we may say, as she would have done 
unhesitatingly, that what she gained was worth all 
the bitter cost, and that her knowledge of the 
darkness helped her to lead many a soul out into 
the light. 

As soon as she could bear the journey she went 



26 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

with her mother to Rochester. Praying for guid- 
ance as to duty and to know how the tide of sin in 
our land might be stayed, she opened her Bible 
for an answer and read Isaiah xxviii. 9, io, 11: 
"Whom shall he teach knowledge and whom shall 
he make to understand doctrine. Them that are 
weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts." 
She accepted this as God's call, and from that 
time was confident in her conviction that labor for 
little children had largest promise of result for the 
world. Wherever she went during her long life of 
varied experiences, she was untiring in her efforts 
to secure the best instruction for the infant and 
primary classes, and to establish Christian schools 
from the extreme North on the borders of Lake 
Superior to the banks of the Rio Grande. In 
Rochester Miss Chappell was the guest of a Mrs. 
Luce an Episcopal lady. The first service which 
she attended after her recovery was on Christmas 
Day, when she heard the Reverend Henry White- 
house — later Bishop Whitehouse — preach. With 
her new views of truth she went into the assembly 
of God's people with exultant joy and entered into 
the service with a delight which she never forgot, 
and which gave her a personal association with 
the beautiful liturgy which made it peculiarly sa- 
cred to her. Her children did not know for many 
years why she made it a habit wherever she was 



RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND ASSOCIA TIONS 27 

to attend the Episcopal church at Christmas tide, 
but it was a family custom, and one which kept 
her, as it has her household after her, in loving 
sense of the unity of God's people, and of being 
sharers with the one Holy Catholic church of a 
great past, rich in its noble and stately service. 
Attending church with Mrs. Luce she went to many 
religious gatherings with her Methodist brother, 
Robert, and was most welcome in the class-room 
or at experience meetings. As one and another 
heard her story they would exclaim: "Why! Sister 
Chappell,you have experienced the blessing of sanc- 
tification." She shrank from the expression and 
was never desirous, then or later, to label any 
spiritual attainment but she entered into the un- 
conventional gatherings of the Methodist with the 
same appreciation of the real element of power 
there that she had among those whose outward 
form of worship was so different, assured that all 
who loved the Lord were indeed "very members 
incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which 
is the blessed company of all faithful people." Bish- 
op Whitehouse had a Bible class which she at- 
tended with great profit. As her strength in- 
creased she took a small school in the city, as her 
mother, now in failing health, had come to make 
her home with her son Robert. He was next in 
age to Eliza, only a year and a half older, of most 



28 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

gentle and loving spirit, a leader in the M. E. 
church and one who deeply sympathized in the 
religious life of his sister. The same record from 
which earlier facts are taken, reminiscences jotted 
down by her husband, says: 

"While teaching at Rochester, and testifying of 
the love of Christ, she made the acquaintance of 
the Reverend William James, pastor of the Brick 
church, of Reverend Charles G. Finney and of Mr. 
and Mrs. Burchard. Mr. James and Mr. Finney 
found in Miss Chappell a heart quickened to every 
spiritual influence and a mind keen and active in 
its search for truth and the friendships then formed 
were lifelong. Mr. Finney said of her years after: 
'She posssesed the most Christlike spirit I ever 
met,' and Mr. James delighted to study the Bible 
in her company, and longed to attain a like pre- 
cious faith. The wonderful revivals of 1828 in 
connection with the labors of these evangelists be- 
gan in Rochester and extended over the state of 
New York, and into New England. Miss Chappell 
labored much with Mrs. Burchard, especially for 
the conversion of children. She was hardly a dis- 
ciple, rather a trusted friend and counsellor of the 
great evangelists, for before she came under their 
influence she had entered into a life of faith which 
made them look to her rather as a teacher than a 
learner in the 'Deep things of God. ' She how- 



RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND ASSOCIATIONS 29 

ever always felt sincere gratitude for the oportunity 
of watching their work and great personal obli- 
gation for the association. It was fitting that this 
young woman trained in 'the straitest sect' of the 
Presbyterians, the zealous student of Calvin and 
Edwards, should, on the very threshold of the new 
life into which she had entered, be brought into 
close personal contact with the Ritualist, Mr. 
Whitehouse, the mystic Dr. James, the new 
schoolman of fire and law, Dr. Finney, the emo- 
tional Mr. Burchard, while she lived in a M. E. 
home and found many of her warm friends in that 
communion, then far more a marked and separate 
people than the Methodists of to-day. She had 
unusual opportunity to see the 'Diversities of oper- 
ation, ' and had already so learned Christ that she 
recognized in each 'The same spirit.' She re- 
jected nothing, as she received nothing because of 
its name, but whatever she apprehended as of 
Christ she rejoiced in and entered into, while the 
mere externals seemed too unimportant to sepa- 
rate any Christian souls. 

How well those who knew her best remember 
her quotation of the words: 'They gathered the 
good into vessels, and cast the bad away,' and 
the comment with the mirthful gleam in her eye: 
'Did not stop to analyze the bad or discuss it, cer- 
tainly did not leave bad and good together until 



30 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

both were corrupted. Simply kept for themselves 
that which had value for them. What they 
counted 'bad' was not inherently so. only worth- 
less for them, that they 'cast away. ' So she did 
for herself, as she saw the truth, and the lessons of 
those years were priceless in fitting her to meet in 
later life 'all sorts and conditions of men. ' 

She had been an eager reader of whatever books 
came in her way, but now for two years she read 
almost nothing but the Bible; studied and pon- 
dered it. Ate it, and it was the joy and rejoicing 
of her heart. 

After four months in her son's new home, where 
his young wife and Eliza ministered to her with 
loving care, Mrs. Chappell died. 

The youngest daughter closed her eyes and was 
her companion at the last as she had desired, and 
the other members of the family most of them 
gathered for the final services when the mother 
was laid to rest, after her long loneliness, beside 
her husband. Mrs. Chappell must have been in 
some respects an unusual woman. Her daughter's 
recollections of her were delightful and tender, 
and the one niece who survives and remembers 
her, represents her as of strong character and 
clear mind. She clung to her children with pas- 
sionate tenderness and I think of the peculiarly 
strong family affection, demonstrative and fervent, 



RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND ASSOCIATIONS 31 

found among all her descendants as a Kneeland 
trait. This impressed me greatly when I first saw 
the sisters and brothers together. Neither separa- 
tion nor time took from the ardor of youthful 
affection, and as aged men and women they met 
with the enthusiasm and delight of a household 
whose interests had never been divided, and whose 
lives had not flowed in very different channels. 
This made separation peculiarly painful to them, 
and the resolution to leave all early associations, 
cost the young invalid more than those who saw 
her serene acceptance of what seemed the call of 
duty realized. 

But her mother no longer needed her presence 
and she simply waited to see the Lord's way. 



CHAPTER III 

EARLY JOURNALS 
BEGINNING OF WORK ON THE FRONTIER 

A few years ago there was found among piles of 
old family papers, a series of journals covering a 
portion of the years 1831, 1835 * n Miss Chap- 
pell's handwriting, the only written records of her 
life before the war, and the only journals which 
have been preserved. Her daughter did not ven- 
ture at the time to tell her mother of the discovery 
but when they had been carefully packed and 
shipped with other things to a distant city, con- 
fessed her pleasure in the possession, and the con- 
cealment of the treasure. The reply was charac- 
teristic, after a little start of surprise and the ques- 
tion: "Why did not you show them to me ?" Mrs. 
Porter said with a gentle smile: "God led me by 
a strange way, if it helps you to follow some of 
the steps I shall be glad, but how many things I 
have learned since then!" 

I think she would say now, could she speak 

from the enlarged life of the "perfect day" into 

which she has entered: "If it helps any one to 

32 



EARLY JOURNALS 33 

follow the steps, I shall be glad," so I do not 
hesitate to quote some what fully from these the 
only personal annals of her experience. Portions 
of them were written for her home friends after she 
came to the northwest while other, passages were 
intended for no eyes but her own. During later 
years she was frequently urged to write some his- 
tory of her life but invariably answered: "That 
which is worth telling, God's dealing with my 
spirit cannot be written, the other, the mere shell 
of life, is of too little value." 

With a few words of explanation and introduc- 
tion these journals shall tell the story of the next 
few years. 

Among Miss Chappell's friends in Rochester 
were a Mr. and Mrs. Loomis, missionaries from 
the Sandwich Islands. Impaired health prevented 
their return to their former field and they were 
sent to the Island of Mackinaw to join the mission 
to the Indians, which was under the care of the 
Reverend William M. Ferry. Mr. Ferry had not 
only labored most zealously for the Indians but 
been a devoted and successful evaneglist to the 
little community of tradesmen and army officers 
on the island. In a revival in 1828 many of these 
were brought to Christ, among them Mr. and Mrs. 
Robert Stuart. 

Mr. Stuart was the son of Scotch Presbyterian 



34 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

parents, trained from his youth in the Scriptures 
but with no apprehension of Christ. He had been 
a very gay and worldly man. In New York he 
met a brilliant girl, one of whose parents was a 
Roman Catholic, the other an Episcopalian. The 
young people were drawn to each other and, after 
a few months secretly married, just before Mr. 
Stuart set off on the expedition to the Pacific coast 
which founded and named the city of Astoria. 
The vessel on which they had gone around the 
cape was wrecked and the party found their way 
back across the continent to St. Louis, the first 
which ever made the overland trip. -On his re- 
turn to New York, Mr. Stuart claimed his bride 
to the great surprise of her friends, and after a 
time they went to Mackinaw, where Mr. Stuart was 
the resident partner of the great American fur 
company, of which John Jacob Astor was the 
head. Here, in the wilderness, the proud man of 
the world gave himself to Christ, and his wife too, 
learned that life was for better uses than any which 
her society career had set before her. Of strong 
characters and ardent temperaments they entered 
the service of the Lord with the same enthusiasm 
and leadership which had made them foremost in 
whatever circle they had moved. In the same re- 
vival Mr. Henry R. Schoolcraft, the Indian agent, 
who afterward lived at Sault Ste. Marie, and with 



EARLY JOURNALS 35 

whom Mr. Porter found his first home in the North 
West, was converted and several officers of the 
army, who did much for the spread of the Gospel 
in this wide territory. Mr. and Mrs. Stuart de- 
sired a teacher for their family of little children, 
and heard from Mr. Loomis of the ardent young 
infant school teacher in Rochester, whose heart 
went out to missionary work, but whose frail health 
forbade her entering upon it. After some corre- 
spondence upon the subject Mr. Stuart invited 
Miss Chappell to come to their home. Her friends 
thought it presumptious for an invalid to attempt 
such a journey, and endeavored to dissuade her, 
but Mr. Stuart assured her that if ill she should 
have the care they would bestow upon a daughter, 
in his family, and she decided to go to Mackinaw. 
She spent a short time in further study of the In- 
fant School system, which Mrs. Bethune had intro- 
duced in the city of New York, and in June 1 83 1 set 
out for the North. She went first to Fort Niagara 
to visit her friends, Lieutenant and Mrs. Eaton, 
who accompanied her to Buffalo, where she took 
steamer for Sandusky. From this point she was 
to go to Perrysburg Ohio to visit her eldest brother 
whom she had not seen for fifteen years. She 
reached Lower Sandusky Saturday evening. The 
stage for Perrysburg was to leave Sunday morning 
but she refused to take it on that day; the driver 



36 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

yielded and waited until Monday for his passen- 
ger. After a brief visit with her brother she sailed 
from Sandusky for her new home, where not only 
new but most unanticipated surroundings awaited 
her. She had lived all her life in a home of nar- 
row means or among friends of simple habits. She 
loved to tell how, going to the "wilds of the 
North" among missionaries and Indians she feared 
that even her modest wardrobe, which although 
simple was in the then modern city fashion, might 
prove inappropriate. Whatever it was necessary 
to add to it was of the most inexpensive material 
and made in the severest plainness. Who that 
heard will ever forget the genuine mirth with which 
she told of her introduction in Mr. Stuart's luxu- 
rious home, to a style of living and attention to the 
conventional requirements of society such as were 
quite new to her. As the representative of the 
great company on the island, Mr. Stuart enter- 
tained all persons of note who visited that part of 
the country and the missionary or governess' ward- 
robe needed immediate attention to make it at all 
appropriate for the stately dinners and other 
gatherings at which as a member of his family she 
must appear. Miss Chappell was still so young, 
and always adapted herself so easily to new con- 
ditions that probably no one but herself realized 
her embarrassment and surprise. But all her life it 



EARLY JOURNALS 37 

made her wonderfully quick to see and prompt to 
help those similarly situated. How many can re- 
call some gentle word of advice, as to toilet, or 
some little gift which made the personal appear- 
ance more attractive, which perhaps she half apolo- 
gized for or explained to her children by saying: 
"I remember how I felt at Mackinaw!" She keenly 
enjoyed dainty appointments and all the little ele- 
gancies in the home which wealth afforded and as 
long as she lived was fond of quoting Mr. and Mrs. 
Stuart as authority on points of social decorum. 
She admired and loved them both and they gave 
her almost parental care, while in spiritual things 
they looked up to her and sought her guidance. 
Their children were left almost wholly to her at 
home as well as in the school room, where she 
taught with them any other of those on the island, 
too young to attend the mission school. In the 
mission she found congenial friends and her whole 
life was enriched by the associations of those years. 
The first word which has been found from her 
pen, is on a sheet by itself, probably never seen 
by any eyes but her own until it was taken from 
the great chest in Prairie du Chien in 1887, during 
the last summer that she was with us. From the 
date it must have been written about a month be- 
fore she left Rochester and shows the spirit with 
which she entered upon that service upon the 



38 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

frontier which was to be so largely her life work. 

Rochester, May 28, 1831. 
"Two years have elapsed since by the grace of 
God, I was led (by a train of circumstances which 
at the time appeared to be grievous afflictions) 
to deplore my awful condition, not as an impeni- 
tent sinner but as a pardoned rebel, who had 
promised unqualified submission to an injured and 
forgiving Master, and yet dared to live to myself, 
to seek the things that pertained to earth, not the 
things that were Jesus Christ's. Oh! how rich the 
grace, how wonderful the love which has been 
manifested toward me the most rebellious of be- 
ings! Truly God's ways are not as man's ways, 
else I must have experienced the curse of Ephraim, 
'Because he is joined to His idols let him alone.' 
But boundless love and infinite compassion, was 
and is still exercised. Grace, free rich grace! 
Two years did I say, since by the Light of Life I 
was made to see things pertaining to God and my- 
self more clearly, and in view of six years of pro- 
fessed allegiance consider and realize with deep 
self abasement and sorrow that I was ' earthly, 
sensual devilish. ' Whereas I had promised most 
solemnly to be the Lord's, to renounce the world 
and all its vanities, upon examination in the Light 
which the Spirit of God now shed upon my dark 
heart (which was truly a cage of unclean birds), I 



EARLY JOURNALS 39 

saw that I was lost. My condemnation oh! how 
just ! I thought I must even in the darkness of 
the pit admire the justice which should sentence 
me there. Indeed it seemed that God could not 
exhibit His justice in any other course. 'The pains 
of hell took hold upon me, I groaned in my com- 
plaint and made a noise.' 'I cried unto the Lord 
and He heard me.' (Astonishing condecension!) 
and the dear Lord presented Himself 'strong to 
deliver and mighty to save.' Oh how clearly did 
He convince me that by the deeds of the law no 
flesh should or could be justified. 'Look unto 
Me all the ends of the earth. ' None need hesitate 
on account of sin, but come on that account. For 
'The blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin.' 
Forget now the things that are behind. 
Jesus Christ came to save the 'chief of sin- 
ners, ' and I am the chief, therefore I am the one 
precious thought ! My sinking soul was made to 
see and now to lift the feeble hand of faith to this 
Mighty Deliverer. 'Save Lord or I perish. ' 'Canst 
thou believe that after all thy waywardness and 
vanity and and God-tempting sins, that I will re- 
ceive you as a dear child, cause you to sit at my 
table and partake of children's bread. ' 'In Jesus, ' 
my enlightened comforted soul said: 'There is 
plenteous redemption. Lord I believe, help Thou 
mine unbelief, I make mention of His righteous- 



40 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

ness, of His only. Let me rest under the mantle 
of His grace and there in spite of all the universe I 
am safe. ' Such were some of my feelings. Why 
had not my blind eyes seen before? And 'Now 
Lord 'was my inquiry 4 What wilt Thou have me 
to do? I am Thine — forever Thine.' I desired 
to be bound by everlasting bonds. Upon a bed of 
pain and extreme weakness, what could I now do 
for God? I had spent my life and strength in the 
service of the world and just as I was passing, as 
then seemed, in the 'Valley of the shadow' began 
to realize that it had been spent 'For naught.' 
Oh! at times how did my soul mourn in anguish, 
on account of mis-spent time, and marvel that the 
beauty of the Will of God had not charmed it into 
undeviating compliance. Let God be glorified 
now in me, was my desire in life or death or in 
any way, only let me never wander from the way 
of peace. 

"Now did my soul most solemnly again renew 
her vows to be the Lord's, not in name alone but 
in truth. 'Forgetting the things that are behind' 
and henceforth engage that the life which remains 
'In the flesh' shall be by 'Faith upon the Son of 
God.' (How firm a Rock!) Here Lord I give 
myself a miserable offering indeed ! But in Him 
is all my salvation and all my hope. And now 
Father all, all that Thou givest of strength shall 



EARLY JOURNALS 41 

be Thine! My soul vowed unto the Lord, and He 
is now proving me. He strictly requires me now 
to perform the vows my soul in anguish made, 
and let me ask am I — do I at the close of two 
years which have been filled with remarkable dis- 
plays of mercy and fulfilment of promises find my- 
self prepared to follow Christ to prison or to 
death? Jesus, Master, I appeal to Thee, 'Thou 
knowest all things' and may I not say too 'Thou 
knowest that I love Thee. ' Though I find to my 
shame and humiliation that I am still the 'chief of 
sinners' and come very far short in the fulfilment 
of Thy requirements, so that I cannot bear to look 
at myself but through Thy precious robe, yet dear 
Saviour do I not love Thee ? Do not I prefer the 
peace of Jerusalem above my chief joy. I desire 
this sacred morning to renew this dedication, cast 
all my care upon Jesus, promising in His stength 
to do all for His glory. Witness ye angels of His, 
and Thou blessed Spirit. Do magnify Thine office 
and continually convince of sin, and cause that 
my repentings may be rekindled continually. Thou 
Father of the fatherless accept this offering and 
be my Father for I am Thine. Save me, and en- 
able me to keep Thy statutes. God, my Father, 
Thou knowest I am but a little child, oh! make 
me at all times to trust simply in Jesus. What 
fullness! Am I weak? He is strength, wisdom 



42 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

and complete redemption. Lord increase my faith. 

"I am not my own, 'bought with a price.' My 
time is not my own. Lord teach me to number my 
days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. 
For the better regulation of my life I would adopt 
the following rules: 

i. To rise with or before the sun. 

2. To devote one hour to reading, meditation 
and prayer before leaving my room. 

3. Should this precious season ever seem irk- 
some and tasteless to remain until God manifests 
Himself. 

4. To inquire with regard to all my movements: 
will this be for God's glory? 

5. To examine carefully the motives which 
through each day have influenced my conduct. 

6. To endeavor in my intercourse with all to 
do as I would wish to be done by. 

7. To speak evil of none. To do good to all. 

8. To observe one day of each week as a sea- 
son for private fasting and prayer. ' ' 



CHAPTER IV 

MACKINAW JOURNALS I 832 

The first of the journals bears date more than a 
year later than this paper, beginning in June 1832. 
In the meantime Miss Chappell had been teaching 
in Mackinaw, and in November, 1831 met for the 
first time "young Mr. Porter" on his way to Sault 
Ste. Marie. He remembers well his glimpse of 
the frail little teacher, as he found her in the 
Stuart's drawing-room, with her carefully marked 
polyglot Bible — a gift from Lieutenant Eaton — in 
her hand. 

Mackinaw, June 17, 1832. 
"The season for the annual visit of the fur traders 
and Indians is near, during which many things will 
occur, which by noting them, as they are pre- 
sented, will enable me to give to my dear friends 
who take an interest in Mackinaw a simple idea 
of a summer here. 

"18th. Mr. Stuart arrived safely a few days 

ago, after an absence of several weeks during which 

he visited my dear friends in Rochester, and was 

43 



44 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

the bearer of a package of letters which were to 
me 'as cold water to a thirsty soul.' Often am I 
led to give thanks to God for this most invaluable 
blessing, dear Christian friends. I sometimes 
think I receive answers to their prayers while they 
are yet speaking. Never did I feel such delight 
in trusting all to God's hands. I can say with 
David, 'They that know Thy name, will put their 
trust in Thee. ' 

"19th. This day closes my third term. Have 
had an examination in which the parents and 
friends of the school have evinced great interest. 
Could my dear friends at home have seen me sur- 
rounded by fifty-four (the present number of pupils) 
precious immortals, many of whom within nine 
months have learned to read and recite passages 
of Scripture — could you have looked in upon us 
this morning, and followed us in our exercises I 
doubt not your hearts would have filled to over- 
flowing. I design to have a vacation of a few 
days. In spirit I shall visit you all. Thanks to 
God that we may thus meet and before our 
Father's throne unite our petitions and offer up 
our desires. Is not the time of our sojourning in 
this land of shadows indeed short? and all the 
way to the heavenly city even here we are made 
to rejoice with 'joy unspeakable and full of glory. ' 
'Christ in us the hope of glory.' 



MACKINAW JOURNALS 45 

"21st. I am spending my vacation at the mis- 
sion house. How kind is our Father thus to open 
in this desert land such a retreat for the refresh- 
ment of His little children ! As I design to take 
you with me, or rather to take Mackinaw scenes 
home to you, you will allow me to be minute. 
Could you view with me from the chamber in which 
I am now sitting the Straits of Mackinaw and the 
beautiful Island of Bois Blanc, which rises in front 
of the mission house, and at this season presents 
to the eye all that is beautiful in a forest, you 
would exclaim with David 'all Thy works praise 
Thee,' and should we not together add 'and Thy 
saints bless Thee?' 

" T will say of the Lord He is my rock, my for- 
tress and my high tower. ' Last evening was our 
weekly season for prayer. I proposed to Sister 
Hotchkiss who has charge of all the small girls of 
the family to take her place with them, while she 
should join the other sisters in the prayer-meeting. 
As it was about the time for evening lessons, they 
repeated together the twenty-third Psalm, and 
the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah. A hymn sung by 
sixteen sweet Indian voices was peculiarly touch- 
ing, and the scene solemn indeed when I reflected 
that not one of this interesting group could say in 
truth in the words of the hymn 'Weep for joy my 
sins forgiven.' How awful the condition of the 



46 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

children of this mission family! Will you not 
pray for them ? 

"22nd. I expect to return to Mr. Stuart's this 
evening. God has opened in this dear family a 
place of domestic happiness, such as when I left 
your affectionate circle I never expected again to 
enjoy. A Father of the fatherless is God in His 
holy habitation. 

"23rd. On my return from the mission accom- 
panied by one of the sisters I called at some of the 
Indian lodges. We had a copy of St. John's Gos- 
pel and attempted to read to them, but such in- 
difference! Oh! when shall all this wandering 
miserable race believe the report? Soon! For 
the Day of the Lord is at hand. 

"24th. Sabbath morning. Propose to meet some 
of my infant children in the school room for the 
purpose of leading their young minds to Christ. 
Dear Saviour wilt Thou not take even these lambs 
in Thine own arms, deliver them from the reign 
and superstition of the man of sin under whose in- 
fluence they were fostered? Those of us who 
have been nursed in the lap of piety and early 
taught to fear God little realize the unspeakable 
blessing hereby enjoyed. 

"25th. The Indians are making depredations 
upon the frontier settlements. Several families 



MACKINAW JOURNALS 47 

have fallen victims the their savage cruelty. News 
arrived last evening cf the murder of one of the 
missionaries who was riding upon a fine horse, 
which an Indian demanded; as he hesitated to 
dismount and endeavored to ride away he was shot 
dead. It is thought by some that these disturb- 
ances will soon be quelled, others think that much 
blood will first be shed. It appears that they have 
long been preparing for an attack upon the whites. 

"26th. A few days since our hearts were cheered 
by the arrival of missionaries from Canada going to 
establish a colony near the Straits of St. Mary's; 
Mr. Hurlburt, a Methodist brother, accompanied 
by four Indians. I think they were sent from the 
Rice Lake mission. God is opening the way, and 
sending laborers into the field, who 'Through 
Christ strengthening them' shall Declare among 
the heathen the power of God in the forgiveness of 
sins. My soul hope Thou in God for the word 
of the Lord is sure and abideth forever. 

"28th. Time is swiftly passing, rapidly bearing 
us toward the grave. What kind provision is made 
by our Father that our short stay in this world may 
be pleasant. What mo: . :ld He do for His 
vineyard? as in Adam all die, so in Christ Jesus 
all may live. Through this new and living way 
free and intimate communion with heaven is 



48 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

opened — and the vile children of earth made heirs 
of God and joint heirs with Him, who is the bright- 
ness of the Father's glory and the express image 
of His person. All that was lost in Adam, in 
Christ our advocate is here restored. What man- 
ner of love! 

"Visited yesterday at Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell's dear 
Christian friends whose mothers were Indian 
women. The fathers were men of wealth who 
educated their children. Mr. Mitchell exhibits the 
Christian in every act. Love seems to be the rul- 
ing principle of life. At their house I met a young 
convert from Sault Ste. Marie, where God has 
manifested the riches of His grace in bringing 
many to Jesus, you will bless the Lord with us 
for what He has wrought at the Sault. An ex- 
hibition of grace such as has never been recorded 
among the officers of the army — characters con- 
sidered the most removed from religious influence. 
At that Fort (Brady) all the officers except one, 
with many of the soldiers have submitted to Christ. 
The revival commenced soon after Mr. Porter (a 
young brother sent out by the A. H. M. S.)began 
his labors among them last November. A church 
of thirty members has been formed and a number 
added also to the Eaptist church which has a mis- 
sion house and a number of Indian children under 
the care of a missionary sent out several years 
since. 



MACKINAW JOURNALS 49 

"p. M. This morning Mr. Mitchell and lady called 
and invited me to walk in tjieir garden. I suppose 
the idea of a beautiful garden in Mackinaw has not 
occurred to you as possible. I had a pleasant view 
of a plot of ground handsomely laid out and in a 
high state of cultivation. In speaking of Mr. 
Mitchell I told you he was the son of an Indian 
woman, his father a physician who educated him 
abroad as a gentlemen. The mother was devoted 
to her children and her ambition was to have them 
maintain the rank of gentlemen in the world. A 
large fortune was at her control to which by her 
industry and subtle management she continually 
made additions. She was engaged in a lucrative 
trade with the Indians among whom she had un- 
bounded influence. The children had the prospect 
of independent wealth, but the failure of the north- 
west fur company of Canada (in which Dr. Mitch- 
ell's property was invested) reduced them to a 
mere competence. The son of whom I am now 
speaking engaged in the fur trade among the In- 
dians in which he acquired some property beside 
supporting his family genteelly, until about two 
years ago, when he was made to feel that he was 
lost and ruined. When he heard of Jesus he be- 
lieved, and is a bright example of the simplicity of 
the Gospel child. His business with the Indians 
was largely to supply them with ardent spirits, 



50 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

The spirit which had taught him to love God, had 
also taught him to love his neighbor as himself. 
He now felt that the only means he possessed of 
supporting his family must be relinquished or duty 
sacrificed. He did not hesitate a moment. He 
considered all dealing in ardent spirits contrary to 
the law of Christ. For two years past, he has 
been waiting some opening in the providence of 
God, in which he may labor without doing vio- 
lence to his conscience. The garden thus hand- 
somely arranged by his Indian mother, has be- 
come the only means of support of this supposed 
heir of thousands. Not trained himself to labor, 
all the work on the place is done by old servants. 
Mr. Mitchell is the Indian's friend and brother. 
Indeed, a brother to all. 

"This evening I expect some of my sisters in the 
social prayer circle. My dear friends, do pray 
much and fervently for missionaries. They need 
your prayers. What do you think would sustain 
us did not Jesus in all places give answers to 
prayer. His presence cheers and enlivens every 
path. 

"29th. This day, one year since I bade adieu to 
friends of my heart and became a stranger and a 
sojourner. God has indeed verified the promise 
made to the Fatherless and the stranger. The 
Lord is my portion, whom shall I fear? 



MACKINAW JOURNALS 51 

"30th. I expect soon to reopen my school. 
These dear children have a warm place in my 
heart. Oh ! that in the strong confidence of child- 
like faith I may bring them to that Saviour who 
carries the Lambs in His bosom. He surely 
cares for these. His own hand has opened the 
way for them to obtain that wisdom /which is from 
above, which is to be found by all who can read 
His Holy Word. 

"July 2nd. To-day I dined at Mr. Mitchells in 
company with an Indian trader and wife who have 
just arrived from the wintering grounds. These 
traders usually marry squaws, which gives them 
influence among the people as the chiefs feel it an 
honor to give their daughters to these great men, 
as they esteem the traders to be. From these un- 
desirable unions, entered into often only for the 
love of money, have arisen a race less stable in 
character than either whites or Indians. Macki- 
naw is inhabited principally by such. The mis- 
sion school is composed almost entirely of this 
class, but few unmixed Indians. Mr. Stuart has 
two such servants, the eldest a dear sister, who 
through the instrumentality of the missionaries has 
been redeemed from a state of the deepest degra- 
dation. 

"3rd. To-day Mr. Ferry kindly called to take me 
to ride, to take a view of the Island from Fort 



52 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

Holmes. The scenery is most wild and beautiful. 
Vegetation has been very rapid in its growth; a 
cooler season than usual prevented early starting. 
We have had no weather that has been uncom- 
fortably warm. Mackinaw is a most delightful 
summer residence for those who love nature in her 
wildness. The surface is very uneven. Little 
hills and valleys, rocks and pebbles. These make 
fine gravel walks and prevent inconvenience at 
any season from muddy paths. These natural 
beauties, contrasted with the high white walls of 
the Fort, and beyond the water interspersed with 
small islands, at this season covered with verdure 
gives a most romantic scene, and leads the mind to 
our Father in heaven, who has so kindly provided 
objects to delight the eye, and raise the heart, al- 
most involuntarily to Him who sitteth on the cir- 
cle of the earth, and before whom the inhabitants 
are as grasshoppers. 

"July 4th. No public celebration to-day, not 
even the firing of cannon. The commanding 
officer is daily expecting orders to leave for Chi- 
cago, to aid the troops in this Indian warfare 
which is daily becoming more alarming. Many 
among us begin to tremble in fear of their approach 
to attack Mackinaw. The probability, however, 
is that nothing of this kind will occur. Several 
regiments are on their way to join those already in 



MACKINAW JOURNALS 53 

the field. Efficient measures are taken to bring 
this unhappy broil to an issue soon. 

"July 5th. Again resumed my change under en- 
couraging circumstances, all seemed delighted to 
enter. How evidently God has blessed the es- 
tablishment of this school. Oh! that from it He 
would consecrate a generation to his glory, and 
perfect out of the mouths of these babes a song of 
praise to that grace which opened to them a door 
for instruction. I am more and more convinced 
that parents and those who have the care of chil- 
dren do not regard with sufficient interest the first 
three years. How vigilant, during this early 
period should those be, to whom the care of such 
precious plants is entrusted. God Himself de- 
clares that if parents do 'Train up a child in the 
way he should go, when he is old he shall not de- 
part from His law. ' This is throwing to a degree 
the eternal destinies of your children into your 
hands. 

"July 7th. Mackinaw is now greatly perplexed. 
Fear and alarm take hold of many. The cause is 
not the movements of the Indians. We have not 
had any serious, perhaps I may say any fears from 
them. God appears to be dealing in judgment 
with our troops who are ordered to attack them. 
Three steamboats filled with troops are now on 
their passage. On Saturday the Steamer Thomp- 



54 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

son reached our island with three companies of 
Virginia troops, who had in fifteen days traveled 
fifteen hundred miles — a wild goose chase we think 
it. They spent one night in our harbor and left 
behind them two sick soldiers, whose disease has 
proved to be the dreaded scourge cholera. The 
men have both died and others are ill. The two 
other boats have not arrived and the fears of all 
are excited lest pestilence is the cause of the delay. 
Our schools are all closed and fear takes hold on 
many. 'Blessed is the man whose hope the Lord 
is.' 

"July 8th. This is indeed a time of conster- 
nation on our small island. Four have fallen 
victims to the disease, none but those who were 
ready to fall by intemperance have yet been at- 
tacked, but all 'Faces gather blackness and fear 

takes hold of the fearless.' Dr. McM and 

lady took tea at our house last evening. He was 
hastily called out — a soldier was attacked with 
spasms. He was carried to the grave this morn- 
ing. Yesterday in perfect health he was called to 
assist in administering to one quite sick. His 
fears were so great he was obliged to leave the hos- 
pital, and in less than twenty hours he was carried 
to his long and silent home. 'When God's judg- 
ments are abroad will not the earth learn righte- 
ousness?' A day of prayer and fasting has been 



MACKINAW JOURNALS 55 

appointed. Oh! that like heathen Nineveh we 
may truly fast, and like it turn away the wrath 
which is already kindled ! 

"July 9th. No new case of disease has occurred. 
We hope the plague is stayed. For a few days no 
ardent spirits have been sold and temperance in all 
things has been observed. How truly do we 
realize this Scripture. 'Because sentence against 
an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore 
the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them 
to do evil. ' 

"July ioth. The traders from the Indian country 
are daily arriving. Mackinaw at this season ap- 
pears to be a business town. Mr. Ayer, one of 
the missionaries to Lake Superior, and Mrs. Ayer, 
with the wife of one of the converted Indians who 
belongs to the mission family, and who went out 
last summer as interpreter, arrived last week. 
Another sister from this station will leave in a few 
days. Oh ! if there were four good teachers now 
in Mackinaw, the traders would gladly take them 
into the Indian country at their own expense. 
Great is the cry for laborers. We want most of 
all teachers, mechanics and farmers. Why does 
the church sit in her ceiled house and this desert 
lie waste for lack of laborers? 

"July 1 6th. This is the blessed Sabbath. May 



56 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

it be a day of Zion's enlargement, the birthday 
of many souls! This day our church is to come 
about the table of the Divine Master and 'In 
breaking of bread show forth the Lord's death.' 
Four are to be added to the church to-day. Cap- 
tain Russell and lady, of U. S. A., are two of 
the number. They were subjects of the revival 
at Sault Ste. Marie last winter. 

"Two new cases of cholera have appeared. Many 
among us will doubtless fall by it. Death appears 
near. But 'Perfect love casts out fear' even of 
the 'King of terrors.' Christ is all, here and here- 
after. I am about to meet my Sunday charge, 
about twenty of my Infant children, some of them 
from Catholic families. By thine own word Lord 
God Almighty wilt Thou teach them that 'Except 
a man be born again he cannot enter into the king- 
dom of heaven. ' 

"Evening. This has been a deeply solemn and 
most interesting day. Surely Jesus manifested 
Himself to His disciples in the breaking of bread. 
It is delightful to see the officers of the army with 
their soldiers enlisting together in the service of 
the Prince of Peace. 

"I have just returned from a call upon a sick 
widow. Her appearance, with distressing cough 
and sore mouth, brought so freshly to mind the 
dying scene of our much loved mother, that I was 
overcome. 



MACKINAW JOURNALS 57 

"You know how fondly I have clung to my home 
and friends, and you would no doubt like to know 
if nature does not sometimes triumph and cause 
Eliza to look back with regret to the friends she 
has left behind. I do with thanksgiving to God 
assure you that through His grace I have never for 
one moment felt a pang of regret. While my 
friends were never dearer, yet I think I can with 
sincerity say 'Whom have I in heaven but Thee, 
and there is none upon earth that I desire beside 
Thee.' Let me but hear the Master's voice say- 
ing 'This is the way, ' and I can ask no greater joy 
than grace to walk in it. My Father, my Father, 
Thou art the guide of my youth. Can I want any 
good thing? Only cause me to 'delight in Thy 
statutes' and then 'My peace shall be as a river.' 
'God so loved the world that He gave His only be- 
gotten son. ' What manner of love is this? If we 
have part in this love, how soon shall we be per- 
mitted to sit together in heavenly places, to go no 
more out? 

"July 17th. My soul is moved within me while I 
look at fields 'white for the harvest, ' and for lack 
of laborers so many must perish. Oh! that the 
spirit of holiness did reign among those who have 
named the name of Christ — and it shall. A sure 
word cheers and animates us. 'As the Lord liveth 
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment and her 
converts with righteousness. ' 



58 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"July 1 8th. The steamboat which conveyed the 
troops to Chicago has just returned. The ravages 
of cholera on board were most distressing. Fifty- 
one in a passage of three days fell by its cruel 
hand. The captain said that from Mackinaw to 
their place of landing hardly an hour passed but 
some soul from on board was launched into eternity, 
and the body committed to the deep. The soldiers 
were principally affected, but one officer died. 
Eighty-one were ill when the captain left. 'The 
people tremble before the blast of His breath.' 
There have been but five cases in Mackinaw. 

"July 20th. The traders on account of the alarm 
of cholera make a short stay in Mackinaw this 
year. One of them whose heart the Lord has 
opened has expressed a strong desire to take a 
teacher into the Indian country. Should the 
brother expected from Utica arrive the probability 
is that Mr. Ayer will go. My feelings are very 
ardent on this point. 'Shall it be told in Gath' 
that the cry is continually made for help and none 
will come up? Let us take heed lest the curse of 
Meroz come upon us if we sit still or are quieted 
after having made a trifling effort. There has 
never been such opening of the way as at present. 
How easy it is for God to accomplish His pur- 
poses, how delightful the reflection that He is King 
in Zion! 



MACKINAW JOURNALS 59 

"July 21th. Brother Hall from Utica has arrived 
just in time to allow Brother Ayer to go with the 
trader who offers to support him and the school. 
Books in the Chippewa language are preparing 
which will soon give them the word of God in their 
own tongue. 

"July 23rd. I have not yet opened my school 
since the alarm of cholera. I think I understand 
the tranquility of those 'whose hope the Lord is. ' 
Though the earth be removed and the mountains 
be carried into the midst of the sea yet shall not 
my soul be greatly moved if Christ Jesus is my 
Rock. 

"July 24th. Our island is a scene of excitement. 
Two of the traders who are members of our church 
are to be married to Indian girls of the mission 
family. This is the custom of the traders, who 
you understand are intelligent white men. They 
marry Indian girls and take them into the interior. 
Some of them are several thousand miles beyond 
us. Our school prepares these girls to make their 
families happy, and to be themselves very useful 
among their people if disposed. 

"July 28th. Upon the subject of holiness of heart 
the Scriptures are most clear. I am from them 
daily convinced that unless our lamps have oil 
sufficient to shed light around our path, so bright 



60 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

that all who see can behold it, we have not that 
which will bring us into the Bridegroom's presence 
with joy. If we have the spirit of Christ, then we 
have evidence that Christ is ours. If we have His 
spirit 'our meat and drink' will be to do 'The will 
of our Father' — and 'This is the will of God even 
our sanctification.' By the word of God I am 
taught that through Christ Jesus the whole man 
may be made new, and 'where sin abounded grace 
may much more abound. ' Then may not grace 
actuate the whole soul? Oh! let us seek after all 
the 'mind that was in Jesus!' 

"I rejoice this morning that Jesus 'Has power 
on the earth to forgive sins, ' and while conscious 
of great bodily weakness am led almost to forget 
that I am not strong. 'The Lord is my light and 
my salvation.' I am in confident expectation of 
seeing some one soon, whose heart the Lord has 
moved to devote themselves to the children of this 
desert. 'The Lord has all hearts in His hands.' 

"July 30. A very interesting Indian called last 
week at the mission for instruction. Last summer 
on his way to Rice Lake he came to the house, 
and, as usual when the Indians call upon them, 
some one of the family, through an interpreter, 
endeavored to lea 5 him to God. He was perfectly 
ignorant having never even heard of such a being. 
As he said he was going to Rice Lake he was told 



MACKINA IV JOURNALS 61 

of John Sunday and Peter Jones (native converts) 
and promised to go to them to hear more about 
the Great Spirit. He returned a few days since. 
With his countenance beaming with animation he 
took the sister who had taught him by the hand 
and said: 'Me glad see you now. Me know more 
about God. Me love Jesus. Me love you too. 
Me went where you say. They all good. Tell 
me plenty about God. Bad heart. My heart 
very bad, get better heart of Jesus. Me go home 
tell all about it. Me drink no more whisky!' 
Oh! when shall this degraded people all be taught 
of God? 

"July 30th. To-day a gentleman from Sault 
Ste. Marie called at my school. His heart was 
quite softened in view of what might be done by 
the establishment of infant schools throughout all 
this region. Upon leaving he exacted a promise 
that I would endeavor to find a teacher for the 
Sault, said he would engage to provide a home for 
anyone who would give herself to this work. Who 
will come and help us ? Nothing more can be said. 
The command and example of Jesus must and will 
avail with those who love Him, more than father 
or mother, or even life. We want many who are 
made strong by the mighty God of Jacob. How 
small an offering when we give all! Give? are 
we our own ? Has not the Master a claim upon 
all our service? 



62 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"August 3rd. This morning my soul has been 
greatly refreshed by the precious promise from the 
mouth of the Strength o! Israel. 'As surely as I 
live saith the Lord every knee shall bow and every 
tongue confess. ' What more need be said to the 
children of the kingdom except 'Go forward?' 
Not even the weakest effort made for the promo- 
tion of this work shall fail. Many must go out 
'Whither the Lord will lead' them depending solely 
upon His spirit to counsel, direct and sustain. 
Were this course adopted how many pillars would 
soon be raised in the desert to testify that God 
had met with and blessed the pilgrim in his journey- 
ings. Could two or three teachers come next 
September an opening would be found for each. I 
look upon the Infant school system as designed by 
God to open the way for the missionary of the 
cross, and 'perfect His praise from the mouth of 
babes. ' You see the necessity that those who en- 
gage in a work which is to be instrumental in ac- 
complishing this, should be themselves 'rooted and 
grounded in Christ.' 

"August 4th. 'Who is this that cometh from 
Edom with dyed garments from Bozrah?' This 
that is glorious in His apparel and travailing in 
the greatness of His strength?' It is the Lord Jesus 
who will overturn and overturn until He accom- 
plish all that after which our souls pant. 'Holi- 



MACKINA IV JOURNALS 63 

ness to the Lord' shall be 'inscribed upon all 
things. ' I look around and see nothing but dark- 
ness — sinners blind to all that can render even 
their stay on earth desirable. I see those who 
profess to follow Jesus a such at distance from their 
Master that I am sure they do not behold in Him 
'all the fulness of the Godhead. ' I see a world 
perishing for lack of vision, and those whose duty 
it is to enlighten them by carrying the Gospel sit- 
ting at ease. I look into the Word of God and find 
the Eternal pledged for the redemption of man 
from ignorance and superstition. A sure word of 
promise that Jesus shall 'see the travail of His 
soul and be satisfied, ' and hence I do rejoice and 
will rejoice as 'seeing things which are invisible. ' 
"I have just learned that Mr. Ferry is about 
to leave for the East. Have time for no letters to 
correspondents. I think our separation will not be 
long. In delightful anticipation I look beyond this 
land of shadows, to our 'Father's House' where 
are 'many mansions.' When you write do speak 
of every change in town and even on the farms 

that I used to know. Tell Aunt M I often 

think of her. Since I have lost my only tooth I 
think I resemble her in her old age. You can 
have no idea how the loss of my teeth has affected 
my speech and appearance. But the toothache 
I shall have no more ! The vessel is under sail 



64 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

and I must lay aside my pen! Adieu! all, all." 

So closes the first journal the only reference to 
months of excruciating suffering from tic-doulou- 
reux during which an ignorant surgeon advised the 
extraction one after another of the few teeth which 
had remained after the salivation of two years be- 
fore — in that brief sentence; with its character- 
istic presentation of the bright side of the loss, 
permanent freedom from toothache! The last 
few pages are an epitome of her life — always look- 
ing to "the regions beyond" — the need beyond — 
the attainment beyond. The next month's record 
shows how she did in those early years as she con- 
tinued to do to the end — saw the point of peculiar 
need — went forward to encounter and overcome 
the first obstacles — sought helpers in the work 
and, when it was organized and ready for transfer, 
left it in their hands. In Mackinaw, as wherever 
she taught, her school was open to the poorest and 
most degraded. If unable to pay they were freely 
received, and so great was the confidence of parents 
in her judgment and influence that Mr. Stuart and 
other wealthy and aristocratic gentlemen allowed 
their own children to attend as paying pupils, as- 
sured that they were safe with any associates un- 
der Miss Chappell's care. At this time she was 
not quite twenty-five years of age, her slight form 
racked by neuralgia, and nourished only by the 



MACKINAW JOURNALS 65 

food she could assimilate within an hour after eat- 
ing, as she rarely retained anything on her stomach 
for a longer time, yet full of cheer and buoyancy. 
It was not strange that she won from those about 
her tender watchful care, and that rich and poor, 
missionaries and men of the world, sought her 
friendship and counsel, and went to her little school 
room as to a shrine. 



CHAPTER V 

TRIP TO NEW YORK TO SECURE TEACHERS FOR THE 
INDIAN COUNTRY 

"August ii, 1832. 
"Mrs. Ferry left very abruptly, so that I had no 
time to write letters except a short one of intro- 
duction to my brother's family, and but for my 
scrap-book, filled at times when from weakness I 
must retire to my little room, I could have sent 
nothing. I hope Mrs. Ferry may spend a little 
time with you. She has been a kind attentive 
friend. I feel under great obligation to all the dear 
mission family. In them God has designed to make 
up to me in a measure, the loss of my 'father's 
house.' 

"August 13th. How swiftly time is passing. 
Everything without and within admonishes me that 
what is done for eternity must be done quickly. 
My health for the few weeks past has been pecu- 
liarly feeble. I think the climate of Mackinaw 
almost too severe. But when I am weakest then 
I am strongest. Christ Jesus is all my salvation 

and all my desire. I am wonderfully sustained. 

66 



A TRIP TO NEIV YORK 67 

My school now numbers fifty-five. It is in a very 
interesting state. A desire to improve is mani- 
fested by all. A great work, only the wisdom of 
God can direct aright. Two or three more teach- 
ers are greatly needed for this region. As soon as 
any one arrives I shall look upon it as an indi- 
cation for me to leave Mackinaw for the purpose 
of opening another school should my health per- 
mit. I am a pilgrim and sojourner having no 
abiding city here. 

"August 23d. This evening had a prayer-meet- 
ing in my room. Thursday evening prayer-meet- 
ings are sacred seasons. How many fervent prayers 
have on these evenings been lodged in the court 
of heaven by my dear mother, and they are now 
realized in answers of peace by her child. What 
an inheritance is ours who are the children of pious 
parents. How poor is gold! how empty is fame! 
how low any honor but that which cometh from 
God! But a pious mother's prayers shall be had 
in everlasting remembrance. 

"August 25th. I was invited to the Fort last 
evening. A large party were assembled in Gen. 

quarters. The room was hung with flags and 

everything appeared in military splendor. When 
I heard the General say that since he entered 
the army he had spent twenty-five thousand dol- 
lars in gambling, I felt indeed that the 'things 



68 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

that are highly esteemed among men are abomi- 
nation in the sight of God. ' The truth of Jesus 
never seems so precious as when contrasted with 
those things which are held in estimation by the 
children of earth. Phantoms of a day! 

"September 14th. Have been confined to my 
room for several days on account of ill health. 
Feel clear that God calls me to resign my school 
at least for a time. Oh ! my Father Thou wilt 
direct! If I am compelled to leave this interesting 
field, do Thou raise t up others to fill it better. 
Do what Thou wilt and my soul shall rejoice in it. 
Have decided that God leads me homeward. 

"September 17th. To-day I expect to leave 
Mackinaw, where I have labored with delight, and 
where God has manifestly appeared to bless and 
sustain, and now oh! God go with me! Thou 
knowest all my weakness, all my infirmities, all 
my wants. 

"September 18th. This morning at six o'clock 
left Mackinaw. Little wind which prevented us 
from losing sight of the island for some time. 
Dear friends, your kindness has endeared you to 
my heart and, may God return to you what you 
have measured to me. 

"September 20th. Last night quite a storm. 
This morning calm and fair wind. 



A TRIP TO NEIV YORK ftO 

"September 25th. Several days have elapsed 
since I laid aside my pen, and took refuge from 
seasickness in my berth. After beating about and 
contending with winds and waves for two days we 
at length found a harbor in which we have remained 
for two days more, and are now quietly waiting for 
a favorable wind to carry us out. Danger has 
been great, but now we are again cheered by the 
light of the sun and made to rejoice that there is a 
God in heaven who 'Heareth the young ravens 
when they cry. ' 

"Lake Huron (unknown islands). This harbor I 
shall name Hope for here we 'Have hoped in the 
Lord, who saved us out of our distresses. ' 

"September 26th. The sun shines brightly but 
the winds are still contrary and we consequently 
detained in this harbor. This is the fourth day. 
Our situation is truly interesting. The number of 
souls on board the Supply is only seven — two of 
whom are dear brothers in Christ — one a native 
Indian, another a redeemed sailor taken from the 
lowest depths of sin. A Catholic, with his rosary 
and crucifix, the third, the fourth, a Universalist, 
the fifth a mission scholar unreconciled to God. 
Our field of labor was not closed when we left Mac- 
kinaw. We have morning and evening worship 
and all on board attend. Our cabin has been a 
Bethel to me. 



70 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"September 27th. Still lying at anchor desiring 
much a favorable breeze to drive us out of this 
nook. Rocky islands hedge us in on every side. 
The captain fears to make an attempt to pass out 
until the wind is fair. Oh! Thou who dost hold 
them in Thine own hand give us a quiet and ac- 
quiescent frame of mind. In thanksgiving and 
patience may my soul be hopeful. 

"2 o'clock. Our vessel is now safely under 
way. Three canoes filled with Indian voyagers 
have just passed us, all they possess embarked in 
those light canoes, swimming like swans over the 
waves. 

"September 28th. After having put out a-few 
miles last evening, the wind rose and we made our 
way back to our harbor, which for five days has 
sheltered us so kindly from the storm. This morn- 
ing at six o'clock our anchor was again raised and 
our sails spread against the wind which in four 
hours drove us in again, and here night finds us 
waiting. Ten days from Mackinaw, only three 
days sail! Our provisions begin to run low but 
He who feedeth the young ravens will not forget 
that we have need. 'Our Rock is the Lord.' 
In His name will we trust ! Prospect of a severe 
storm. What thanksgiving should we render for 
this safe harbor? 



A TRIP TO NEIV YORK 71 

"September 29th. This morning with a fair wind 
we were permitted again to set out from the har- 
bor which protected us from the storm of the night. 
Are now rapidly sailing before the wind toward 
Detroit. 'Thus saith the Lord, I will never leave 
thee nor forsake thee, ' and where He is there must 
be Life. 

"September 30th. About sunset last evening our 
fair prospects were all overcast. Dark clouds and 
deep waters compassed us about. At nine o'clock 
it was found that we were near land, and the dark- 
ness prevented our ascertaining how we were sail- 
ing. By soundings our danger appeared to in- 
crease. Our only hope was in God and, He heard 
and delivered our souls. This morning we entered 
the St. Clair River, have had a calm day and our 
wants supplied by provision sent from land. Never 
before have I known a scarcity of food. 

"October 1st. This morning with a fair wind we 
passed out of the river and are now passing rapidly 
through the lake within a few miles of Detroit. 
Lord be with me as I mingle for a little time with 
Christians of this city. Go with and direct me in 
all my conversation. Twelve days from Macki- 
naw! 

"October 2nd. Last evening about sunset ar- 
rived in Detroit. The scenery as we approach 



72 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

is beautifully romantic. A Christian brother called 

and took us to the house of Brother H where 

we were most cordially received. Rested quietly 
on land. 

"October 3d. With a fair wind we set sail from 
Detroit last evening and anchored a little below 
the city. This morning set sail for Buffalo. Thus 
far the Lord has favored us with a strong breeze 
which is bearing us onward at seven miles an hour. 

"Is it a reality? Shall I again be permitted to 
meet the dear friends of my childhood? Much as 
I love them I have cheerfully given them up, and 
much as I long to see them what pain it has cost 
me to be compelled to leave that dear field of labor. 

"October 6th. Left Buffalo in the mail coach 
for the purpose of visiting dear Christian friends 
at Fort Niagara. Reached their place of residence 
at about five in the evening, where I was most 
cordially received by both Mr. and Mrs. Eaton. 
How cheering and delightful intercourse with such 
friends! 

"October 7th. I am led to bless God for this in- 
terview. May our conversation be in heaven, and 
our profiting appear unto all. 

"October 9th. To-day we propose to open the 
book of Revelations as a subject for study during 
my stay at the Fort. Lord God open our eyes 



A TRIP TO hIElV YORK 73 

that we may 'behold wondrous things out of Thy 
law!' 'The fellowship of kindred minds is like to 
that above.' Yes! truly, for the joy of heaven 
will be in having fellowship with the Father and 
the Son, through the uniting bond of the Holy 
Ghost, by whom all who in truth love our Lord 
Jesus are made even on earth to sit together 'in 
heavenly places in Christ. Strong bond indeed 
which binds together the children of the Kingdom! 
Indissoluble and precious! 'Many waters cannot 
quench, nor the floods drown. ' Even the King 
of terrors cannot destroy the principle of Love 
which unites in one and binds to the throne of 
God those who are Heirs of salvation. 

"Can a man who only conceives wickedness be as 
useful an agent in the enemy's cause as one who 
not only thinks and plans but also executes with 
promptitude and decision, and day and night works 
deceit? May we not on the same principle say 
that the good thoughts of the Christian unless they 
prompt him to action will do but little to forward 
the cause of the Redeemer. To think and to act 
are two things. Jesus says not He that thinketh 
to do, but 'He that doeth the will of My Father' 
'shall inherit the promises. ' 

"October 15th. This day I expect to leave the 
Fort and resume my journey. Lord God of Is- 
rael be Thou my Shepherd. As these dear friends 



74 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

have so kindly ministered to me in temporal things, 
give them every spiritual blessing. 

"October 2 ist. 'Oh! God Thou art my God. I 
will praise Thee. My father's God I will exalt 
Him!' Thou hast permitted me to return to the 
home of my childhood and be folded in the arms 
of affectionate friends. While I am with them, 
oh, my Father, wilt Thou give me wisdom and 
grace to exhibit Christ Jesus as the Beloved 
of my soul. Give me language and wisdom to 
plead the cause of the heathen among those in the 
sunshine of gospel light. 

"October 25th. How kindly dost Thou my 
Father in heaven supply all my wants and cause 
Thy children to minister to my necessities. To- 
day a dear brother called and took me to his house 
to spend the day with his family. Our conversa- 
tion has been much upon the subject of missions. 
Infant schools were not forgotten. Lord send 
Thy spirit to inspire a zeal which shall not tire in 
this precious cause for which Jesus left the throne 
of God and the glory of heaven. 

"Seek not to 'please yourselves.' Blessed Mas- 
ter how little are Thy commands obeyed. Chris- 
tian what hast thou to do any more with idolized 
self? To crucify. Yes! to crucify with its affec- 
tions and lusts. How? asks the carnal mind. 
'Through Christ strengthening me, ' lean. Yes! 



A TRIP TO NEIV YORK 75 

and by that grace I will. Upon the cross of Christ 
let every vile affection perish, and to Jesus and 
His cross alone shall all the conquest be ascribed. 

"To-morrow I expect to visit my dear brother at 
Fairport. 

"My soul is moved within me when I think of the 
field I have left. Father teach me to plead for 
them. Hear my prayer and send laborers. Teach 
Thy little child. Let me not move but by Thy 
command. Shall I go or remain? Do with me 
as seems good in Thy sight. Glorify Thyself. 
'Our sufficiency is in Him.' 

"November 5th, 1832. Well may I ask 'What 
shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits' 
and can I not truly add T will take the cup of 
salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. ' 
How shall I find language to express my thanksgiv- 
ing to my Father in heaven for His unbounded 
goodness. Language cannot express what the 
soul feels. 'It glows within my ravished heart, 
and Thou, oh God, can read it there!' This day 
completes my twenty-fifth year, a year of wonder- 
ful mercies. Under my sister's roof in my native 
town I am permitted to enjoy it. One year 
since in a heathen settlement — without any pros- 
pect of again mingling in this dear circle. 

"November 7th. This is not my rest. I have 
no home but heaven. Lord teach me what Thou 



76 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

wouldst have me do. Should it be my duty to 
spend the winter in visiting different schools, do 
Thou accompany me, and direct all my steps in 
wisdom. 

"November 15th. 'Ask and it shall be given.' 
"Grace, infinite grace! Angelic powers do ye 
comprehend it? No! You also 'desire to look 
into* but your high intelligences cannot fathom 
the 'Height and depth, and length and breadth of 
redeeming grace and dying love. ' This day I have 
peculiar mercies to recount. My dear aged aunt 
speaks of joy unspeakable and 'The liberty of the 
gospel. ' The time has nearly passed which was 
to be spent with my friends in Geneseo. Father 
be with me in separating from them as I go not 
knowing whither. 

'When thou vowest a vow, delay not to pay it.' 
Under what solemn obligations do I rest to devote 
all, all. Wilt Thou, Oh my Father, permit me to 
see my desire accomplished for the children of the 
desert. Is it not Thy work? Three teachers 
have offered themselves. Expect to leave for Utica 
soon. 

"November 15th. On the canal boat. My 
Father as I move among strangers wilt Thou give 
me favor in their eyes, and if Thou canst accom- 
plish anything by me, although the trembling op- 
posing flesh shrinks from action, yet Lord my heart 



A TRIP TO NEfV YORK 77 

does say 'Here am I, direct and I will follow.' 

"New York, December 21st. 

"Surely I have been led in a path I had not 
known and one I should have avoided. Deep 
waters have encompassed me yet the God of Israel 
has caused a path to be opened in the deep, and I 
am permitted this morning to 'Walk through on 
dry land. ' 

"Last night had a severe attack. How often am 
I admonished by disease to 'set my house in or- 
der. ' The sustaining of my body in this diseased 
and deranged state is sufficient proof, had I no 
other, that God is almighty and will do what He 
will with His own. Yesterday visited Mrs. Beth- 
une's Infant school. My heart yearns with intense 
desire over the dear infants of the desert. My 
hope for them is in God. They are His. He is 
pledged for their deliverance. 

"Doubting unbelieving heart, do you not think 
Jehovah will accomplish what He has proposed? 
Jesus shall 'see the travail of His soul' and more 
still is added, 'He shall be satisfied.' Shall He? 
Then may every little one lift up the head and 
work in full assurance of faith knowing that 
Immanuel will not 'be satisfied when a few are 
born into the Kingdom. Open the eyes of Thy 
children. 'Speak Lord! for Thy servant heareth. ' 

"January i, 1833, Allen St., New York. 



78 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"It is profitable to recount the mercies which 
have marked the past year. How changed the 
scene compared with last January. Then in the 
depth of the wilderness surrounded by minds 
darkened by sin, and unenlightened by truth; now 
in the midst of a Christian circle with all the re- 
finements and luxuries which a gay and dissipated 
city can present. My soul is moved within me. 
Father Thy children here are asleep upon the sub- 
ject of missions. 

"Infinite forbearance that can see His laws tram- 
pled under foot and condemned, and the precious 
blood of His Beloved poured out as an atonement 
for the rebel 'esteemed as an unholy thing' and 
all that a Father's love can dictate to reclaim and 
rescue made a 'reproach and a by-word. ' 'Be- 
cause I am God and not man, therefore the sons of 
Jacob are not consumed.' 

"January 4th. Weeks have elapsed since I came 
to this city. When I have finished the work upon 
which I came, then Father conduct me to my 
friends in safety. It is delightful to see God caus- 
ing two leaved gates to open before the approach 
of one of His little children. 'The secret of the 
Lord is with them that fear Him. ' 'I am poor and 
needy but the Lord thinketh upon me. ' 

"Geneseo, March 6. A few short days have been 
spent with my dear sister. Never did my friends 



A TRIP TO NEIV YORK 79 

appear more lovely, and the delights of refined 
Christian intercourse so precious. But I hasten 
from them gladly. The souls of the perishing 
heathen are still dearer. Shall the Christian talk 
of self-denial when immortal souls are to be won 
to the Redeemer and eternal life secured? God 
Almighty go Thou with me and I shall not want. 
Select and send those only into this field who stand 
so strong in the Lord that their 'Labor shall not 
be in vain. ' 

This trip to the East must have been one of 
peculiar interest, as it was certainly in many re- 
spects of great success. A society called the Chap- 
pell Infant School Society was formed in Utica 
which sent out and supported several teachers. 
Many new acquaintances were formed and some 
of the friendships which then had their beginning 
were lifelong. In New York City Miss Chappell 
was first the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hall — 
old Geneseo schoolmates. Mr. Hall was at that 
time secretary of the A. H. M. S., and entered 
into the plans of the enthusiastic teacher and mis- 
sionary with great interest. In the home of Mr. 
Finney then pastor of the Tabernacle church, she 
found another delightful resting-place, and entered 
in to his work there, as she had done in Rochester. 
As far as strength permitted, she visited schools and 
studied methods, and wherever she went as a guest 



80 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

or on business she presented the need of the open- 
ing northwest, and tried to enlist men and women 
of consecrated spirit for service on the frontier. 
She was, during the winter, as at Mackinaw and 
later, subject to attacks of hemorrhage of the 
stomach which prostrated her utterly, but with 
indomitable courage she resumed her search for 
teachers as soon as she was able to leave her 
room, and began at once to make arrangements 
for the opening of schools at several points. On 
her return from New York she visited Dr. James' 
family in Albany and went with Dr. James to see 
Miss Julia Preston whose religious views and ex- 
periences were somewhat like her own. So, en- 
riched by new friendships, with a circle of Chris- 
tian women pledged to sustain the Infant schools 
that should be planted, she set out on her return 
feeble of body but strong of soul; the thought 
always in mind that her time of service must be 
short and that she must hasten to lay foundations 
on which others might build. 



CHAPTER VI 

RETURN TO MACKINAW 1 833 

The following pages from the account of her re- 
turn to Mackinaw are a revelation of the shrinking 
woman. From them, one would judge that this 
was her first long journey without the escort of 
some older friend. In these days of constant and 
rapid travel there would be nothing unusual in a 
young lady's making a trip of many weeks by her- 
self, but this was sixty years ago. 

Brave of heart as Miss Chappel was, she evi- 
denly felt keenly her unprotected condition and the 
perils of the way were very real to her. 

"Rochester, April 1, 1833. Leave Rochester 
this evening at four o'clock. 

"Dear home friends: 

"April 2nd. I design in this book to note pass- 
ing occurrences, as I have opportunity, and give 
you a hasty account of the mercies which mark my 
path as I become a stranger and pilgrim who tar- 
ries but for a night. I would give thanks to our 
Father in heaven who enables me to say 'all is 

peace, ' peace which no earthly enjoyment can 

81 



82 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

give, peace which the world cannot take away. I 
hear the voice of my Master saying 'Daughter be 
of good cheer. Lo! I am with you., Shall I 
then fear? Forbid it, oh my Saviour, and let me 
not dishonor Thee by distrusting Thy care, although 
all before is dark, since I have a written promise 
from Thee. Let me not doubt but go on my way 
rejoicing, knowing that 'Faith is substance.' Yes! 
it is firm unyielding 'substance. ' 

This morning Brother King took me in his own 
wagon to Byron where I met Miss Owen, whose 
heart the Lord has opened to assist in the work. 
She closes her school in Bryon to-day and will 
prepare to follow me soon. 'The Lord is my 
Shepherd I shall not want. ' 

"April 3rd. Left Byron about noon for Buffalo. 
The roads much better than I had anticipated. 
Rode all night, reached Buffalo about eight o'clock, 
just in time there to catch a hasty meal. Took a 
seat in the stage again for Fredonia. Traveling 
bad upon the lake shore but I was most kindly 
provided for. Found myself seated beside a Chris- 
tian stranger who kindly took charge of my baggage 
and entertained me with Christian converse. 'He 
is faithful who has promised. ' 

"Reached Fredonia about eleven o'clock in the 
evening, where I designed to spend the two re- 
maining days of the week with the Sabbath. AH 



RETURN TO MACKINAIV 83 

before is dark so far as vision is concerned. I 
doubt not 'He who has delivered will deliver.' 
'I shall yet sing of mercy.' 

"April 4th. In Fredonia met an early friend with 
whom many hours in childhood had been spent. 
A few weeks since she yielded up her affections to 
the Lord Jesus Christ. Her husband opposes the 
work of God in her heart. I trust our intercourse 
may not be altogether in vain. Our dear cousin, 
Mrs. Merrick, received me with the warmth of 
feeling she has ever expressed. Much kindness 
from all. 

"April 8th. A dark stormy morning. Took seat 
in the stage at an early hour for Cleveland. Re- 
cognized in the only passenger beside myself an 
elder in the Baptist church in Fredonia whom I 
had met the day before in church. He was going 
all the way to Cleveland and tendered his protect- 
ing care. What provision is this! 'It is better to 
trust in the Lord than to put confidence in 
princes.' Rode nearly a hundred miles without 
being interrupted in our Christian conversation by 
a third passenger. How strong the bond which 
unites in one the children of God. In every 
country speaking the same language which is to 
the 'Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks 
foolishness, but to them that believe the wisdom 
of God and the power of God.' Roads remark- 
ably good, all well. 



84 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"April 9th. Cleveland, 4 o'clock. Just arrived 
much fatigued. Had almost hoped that a boat 
bound for Detroit would be in this port. Father 
I am indeed a stranger in a strange land. Must 
here part with my kind protector. He has taken 
the whole charge of luggage and bills to this place 
and will engage passage and settle my fare to 
Perrysburg at which place I hope to be in about 
twenty-four hours. You will, my dear friends, 
give thanks with me for the constant care of my 
Father in heaven which in so marked a manner is 
exercised over me. 

"April 10th. Set off at five this morning from 
Cleveland. A gentleman and lady were my compan- 
ions to Elyria, where I took breakfast with the pros- 
pect of pursuing my journey alone, but after break- 
fast a gentleman came in and inquired if I was go- 
ing in the western stage, saying he should find 
pleasure in taking charge of my luggage, which 
from his candid appearance I felt no hesitation in 
allowing him to do. I found in conversation that 
the young man had been strongly beset by the 
adversary of the soul, and from being convinced 
that he was a sinner and must perish without a 
Saviour he had almost come to the resolution, so 
he said, of throwing himself upon the general 
mercy of God, believing that, with the whole 
world he should find a Saviour not from but in his 



RETURN TO MACKINAW 85 

sins. Could God create men to damn them? We 
conversed upon the plan of salvation upon which 
his mind was dark, but in the Word he seemed to 
see more clearly, and doubted much the possibility 
of a sinner being saved without a change of heart; 
indeed, he at length said it could not be and prom- 
ised to give himself to the work of faith by believ- 
ing what he should find in the Word of God, 

"Oh! the blindness of man! Out of Christ 'God 
is a consuming fire.' At four o'clock my traveling 
companion left me, and now within sixteen miles 
of Maumee swamp, thirty miles in length, a 
stranger, a new coachman, a dark night — a slight 
trial of faith. Found great peace in believing. A 
Saviour's presence is Life. His loving kindness is 
better than life. In meditating upon His promises 
forgot that I was alone. The sixteen miles were 
soon now over. At twelve o'clock at night found 
myself at the entrance of this dark forest, but my 
heart was fired, trusting in the Lord, and I could 
truly say 'I fear no evil. ' The landlord told me 
one gentleman was to be my only companion. He 
was very kind, spoke not one word to me until 
morning light, when I discovered that he was a 
foreigner, an Irishman. He said he believed he 
had been very poor company, but he did not like 
to speak lest I should think him rude as he was a 
stranger. So you see how kindly God has pro- 



86 ELIZA CHAP PELL HUKItK 

vided. He has the hearts, the lips of all in His 
hands. 4 I will magnify His name forever, for in 
the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.' 

"April nth. Found a log cabin where we took 
breakfast about seven o'clock, within sixteen miles 
of my dear brother's house in Perrysburg, at which 
place I arrived about twelve. 

"Brother Joshua soon presented his infant daugh- 
ter about a week old, and little Emma had many 
kisses for me and many inquiries after the uncles 
and cousins. My soul is drawn out in prayer for 
Perrysburg. How much might here be accom- 
plished by the active decided efforts of Christian 
business men! These are the men that are most 
needed in the rising and flourishing towns and vil- 
lages of the West. Professional men and mechanics 
could do much, very much for Christ and souls 
here. Oh! that Christians did seek those things 
which are Jesus Christ's and not their own 

"How much my sisters might effect in the capac- 
ity of Infant, Sabbath and common school teachers. 
In every town and village there is room. Great 
Christian simplicity and wisdom is needed in those 
who emigrate to this western world, for the ostensi- 
ble object of doing good. The people are preju- 
diced against eastern men for the most natural of 
reasons. They show to a great degree a feeling 
of superiority and pride, which wherever exhibited 



RETURN TO MACK IN A IV 87 

will produce the same effect. Human nature is 
the same among the civilized and savage, proud 
and unbending, unwilling to acknowledge even the 
Almighty as superior. The servant of Jesus, then, 
by way of contrast should be, 'Gentle, easy to be 
entreated, full of good works, ' believing that godli- 
ness is gain, and not as many who profess to fol- 
low Christ appear to believe that gain is godli- 
ness. 

"The probability of vessels leaving Detroit in a 
few days for Mackinaw must prevent a long stay 
with these dear friends. 

"April 13th, Saturday morning. In some doubt 
with regard to duty. If I remain here until Mon- 
day, fear the vessels will leave for Mackinaw be- 
fore I reach Detroit. I wait the direction of my 
Father in Heaven. While doubting what course 
to pursue for the day, Brother Joshua came in 
saying: 'Do you wish to leave immediately? if 
so a steamboat will leave in about thirty minutes 
which will be in Detroit this evening. ' This was 
the order for which I had been waiting. It was 
kind that a boat should be offered. I had ridden 
so far in the stage that I was grateful for the 
change. Twelve o'clock embarked on the General 
Brady which plies between Perrysburg and Fort 
Gratiot, seventy miles above Detroit. Adieu to 
the last home friend. Still alone! God would 
try me in this respect! 



88 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"April 14th. Reached Detroit in safety about 
twelve at night. I was the only female on board, 
but slept in my cabin as securely as I could have 
done anywhere. So sensibly did I realize my 
Father's care and presence I forgot that I was 
alone. Sabbath morning the captain walked with 
me to Mr. Hastings, where I was most kindly re- 
ceived by those dear friends who have so often 
ministered to my comfort. Upon leaving the boat 
the captain informed me that a vessel would leave 
the next morning for Mackinaw, said he had en- 
gaged my passage and asked if I would have my 
baggage sent that morning. I begged that it might 
remain until after the Sabbath, which he granted. 

"April 14th. Head wind, cannot go to-day. 

"April 15th. Upon my arrival at Detroit learned 
that Mr. Sibley, the brother whose company I had 
expected from that point had gone into Ohio on 
business which would detain him several weeks; 
of course I must go alone, or remain here. The 
path of duty appeared plain and I anxiously awaited 
a change of wind which I should consider as a 
signal, spent the intervening time very pleasantly 
with Christain friends. 

"April 1 6th. Fair wind, orders for sailing. Here 
I am, my dear friends, surrounded by a crew of 
coarse sailors My principal companion will be 
Keton, the colored cook. I am not alone. There 



RETURN TO MACKINAW 89 

is peace in believing. Father give wisdom, give 
understanding. 

"April 17th. Little wind, still in the river. God 
has done great things for me, thanks to His precious 
Love. This constitutes my joy, and I am happy 
in a situation which it would once have terrified me 
to have imagined. Read Henry Martyn to-day. 
Oh! that the number of such disciples might be 
increased! There is much of Christ in his experi- 
ence. Read the word with great delight. Have 
a 'nearness of the inheritance. ' Jesus is near and 
I need nothing more. All around are kind and re- 
spectful. 'It is better to trust in the Lord than to 
put confidence in man. ' 

"April 1 8th. A fair wind is now bearing me to- 
ward the land of darkness, away from all that in 
other days I have clung to with so much fondness. 
Had I ten thousand lives I would gladly offer them 
for this service. 

"April 1 8th. A little sea sickness to-day. The 
motion of the vessel is so powerful that I cannot 
command my pen. "God is my refuge and stength." 

"April 19th. Kindly preserved. Suffer but lit- 
tle from sickness, enough to prevent writing. 

"April 20th. Lying at anchor on account of 
head wind. Hope to reach Mackinaw to-morrow. 

"April 2 1st. Fair wind this morning bearing us 



90 ELIZA CH AP PELL PORTER 

rapidly toward Mackinaw. My heart would sink 
within me, in view of the field, did I not know that 
through Christ's strength, His followers are made 
strong. 

"April 22th. In full view of the island. 'Truly 
God is good and His tender mercies are over all 
His works.' Casting anchor! Safely in our har- 
bor. Give thanks to God! 



CHAPTER VII 

Opening of work at St. Ignace 

"Mackinaw June 5th 1833. 
"Expect the arrival of teachers soon; may they 
be filled with the Holy Spirit. Spent last night at 
the mission house. Dear fellow laborers! How 
we need the mighty influence of the Spirit. Great 
unbelief prevails. No one layeth hold on God with 
Israel's grasp. Dear sister O — is apparently sink- 
ing. She has spent life and strength in the mis- 
sion cause. Has 'fought a good fight. ' Her crown 
is in view. 

"nth. 'Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that 
is within me bless His holy name.' Have been 
confined to my room several days. 'When am I 
weak then am I strong. ' Enabled to cast all my 
care upon Jesus. He will care for his own honor. 
His own work. My heart has been cheered and 
my hands strengthened to-day by the arrival of 
Miss Owen — a teacher from Mackinaw. 'Delight 
thyself in the Lord and He shall give thee the de- 
sires of thy heart. This is my salvation and my 

joy. All my desire is unto thee. Oh most Mighty. 

91 



92 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

"18th. With delight I have been permitted to 
meet two sisters, who have been led by the hand 
of God to this field of labor. I consider the arrival 
of Miss Plimpton, the Methodist sister as a special 
and marked answer to feeble petitions. She will 
doubtless go to Point St. Ignace. Master, shall 
mine eyes see my desire with regard to that poor 
degraded people? Thanks to thy name for the 
promise. Jesus 'shall see the travail of His soul 
and be satisfied.' Is not this enough? Daughter of 
Zion awake lay hold on strength. 

"19th. Last week after Miss O's arrival, went 
to the Point, four miles from Mackinaw to see if 
a school could be opened there. Never have I wit- 
nessed such scenes of wretchedness and want. 
About one hundred and eighty inhabitants. All 
Catholics except one or two families. French and 
Indian languages alone spoken there. Every man 
in the settlement a confirmed drunkard. Mr. B — 
who is a native of Vermont, was formerly in the 
army — has an Indian wife and five very interesting 
children, is very anxious to have a school. He has 
offered me a home in his family if I will come there 
and teach. The case of this man interests me much. 
He said with tears. 'Oh, my poor children, I 
often lie awake at night and cry over them. I 
once knew the love of God, but now I am here liv- 
ing in sin.' I doubt not God has designs of mercy 



OPENING OF WORK AT ST. IGNACE 93 

for this place although they fear a Protestant 
teacher and know nothing of the value of education. 
Spent two or three days at the Point, making ar- 
rangements to go forward. A little house is to be 
fitted up and an effort made to draw into it those 
dear perishing lambs. Jesus, it is Thy command 
'Feed my Lambs' ; cannot we claim Thy promise? 

"20th. Returned to Point St. Ignace accom- 
panied by sister P — . The house nearly ready. 

"23rd. Our little school-room was finished on 
Saturday and we determined to open with a prayer- 
meeting on Sabbath. Spoke to several who said 
they would attend. Sabbath morning dark and 
stormy at the hour appointed and observed at 
home for the assembling of the saints. We entered 
our schoolroom, and found indeed that we need 
not 'Go up to Jerusalem to worship the father. ' The 
Master Himself was with us. Two or three Indians 
who knew His law took an active part in the meet- 
ing. Spirit of the Eternal God breathe upon this 
mass of death. Mr. B — led in prayer. Another 
man, a Universalist, read the tract 'Eternity.' 
We appointed another meeting for Wednesday 
evening. Master direct! 

"25th. Storm so violent yesterday we did not 
open our school but began this morning. To our 
surprise more than twenty were assembled, five or 
six interesting Indians young men from Sault St. 



94 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

Marie. From Mackinaw I took a little Catholic 
child about ten years old whom I had there taught 
to read and understand English and French, for 
my interpreter. It was an interesting circumstance 
for me to receive assistance in my labors so soon 
from one whom I had just taught. Literally sow- 
ing and reaping. 

"26th. Nothing could be more interesting to 
those who love to instruct the ignorant than the 
little group by which I am surrounded. In the 
family are four dear children. They cannot as yet 
understand me, but are improving the time. In a 
few months they will be able to read the word of 
God in English. Quite near is a family consisting 
of a father and four motherless children. A daugh- 
ter fourteen years old has the care, has done all for 
the family in the way of housekeeping for the last 
two years. Poor children ! In a state of wretched- 
ness and ignorance beyond thought. I have two 
of the children in school, the two eldest are obliged 
to labor, but improve every leisure moment in my 
room. They manifest a great desire to learn to 
read and in a few months will, I doubt not, be able 
to read the Holy Bible. To know and fear the 
Lord is all that I desire for any of my charge. 

"27th. A Christian Indian in school to-day. 
How different in character from those around him. 
Visited a poor woman who is rapidly wasting away 



OPENING OF WORK AT ST. IGNACE 95 

with a fever sore, which has spread over her foot 
until it has become a mass of putrefaction. I pre- 
pared her some rice for which she seemed thankful. 
Miserable woman vainly supposing she is ready for 
heaven while a slave to sin. She begged me to 
call again. Lord teach me in what manner to lead 
her mind to Jesus as a Savior. 

"28th. A beautiful morning. Every thing in 
nature delightful. All God's works are perfect, but 
man — poor degraded child of perdition how art 
thou fallen from that perfection in which thou was 
created! Angels may well wonder at the way by 
which thou art cleansed and made a partaker of 
heavenly purity. Great is the mystery ! Miss P — 
returned to Mackinaw yesterday. My Master's 
presence is enough. Jesus is all and in all. Have 
written to the Methodist missionary at Sault Str. 
Marie for a native teacher. 

In a little hut a few yards from my schoolroom 
is a poor hermit bent to the ground with age. 
Forty years he has lived in this secluded spot. A 
rigid Catholic, a Canadian Frenchman. 

"30th. Sabbath evening. Went to Mackinaw 
yesterday. Found an Indian preacher there who 
accompanied us home. Surely in this God has ap- 
peared for us. 'My soul doth magnify the Lord 
and my spirit hath rejoiced in Jesus my Savior' who 
manifests Himself in this desert place. I ask no 



96 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

greater joy on the earth than to be permitted to lead 
the blind to the light and teach infant voices to 
lisp the praises of Jesus. 'Create in me a clean 
heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me. ' 

"July 2nd. The sun has set in splendor and the 
rising moon — bright emblem of the Daughter of 
Zion — proclaims in silent but most unresistible 
power 'The hand that made her is Divine.' How 
delightful from this sink of moral pollution and sin 
to look away and be cheered by the fair face of na- 
ture which uncorrupted and perfect moves on in 
the path ordained by God, and in which we see and 
love the author of 'Every good and perfect gift. 
Three Indian women spent the afternoon with me; 
they saunter about constantly between their eating 
houses, sit, lean upon their elbows, or rest upon 
each other, pick live vermin from hair or clothes 
and kill them without the least appearance of diffi- 
dence or any sense of impropriety. Lord God en- 
lighten their dark minds and show them that there 
is a more excellent way. I shall leave the Point 
to-morrow if the Lord will — Jesus, Master, direct. 

"Mackinaw 6th. Spent the day at the mission. 
While there, was powerfully reproved by the con- 
duct of an Indian chief, who came in while we were 
at table. It seems he has a granddaughter at the 
mission. He searched every part of the room with 
his keen eye, at length it met the object of his quest. 



OPENING OF WORK AT ST. IGNACE 97 

He rose with much apparent joy, took the child in 
his arms, and kissed each cheek. While the tears 
glistened in his eyes. Their manner to each other 
when meeting is very affectionate. The conduct by 
which I felt reproved was relative to eating with 
us, which upon being invited to do he refused, 
saying he feared to eat with praying people lest he 
should be sick. He stood before a room full of 
Christian worshipers and with quiet dignity and 
boldness declared 'I do not worship your God, 
neither will I defile myself by partaking with you.' 
"Such firmness on our side for Christ would lead 
a man to 'Come out and be separate, to touch not, 
taste not, handle not the unclean thing.' Poor de- 
luded Indians. Ye shall yet know the truth. The 
heathen shall be given to Jesus. 

"7th. To-day Mr. Clarke, a Methodist mission- 
ary on his way to Green Bay in company with 
Peter Jones, John Sunday and several other con- 
verted Indians, entered the house of God at Mack- 
inaw. 

"My heart is burning with intense love for the 
dark minded Indian. 

"8th. Mr. Ayer has just returned from Utica, 
where he has been to superintend the printing of 
an Indian spelling book. Mr. A — is a true apos- 
tle to the Indians. His soul is wedded to them by 
the love of Christ, which constrains him to 'Count 
all things but loss that he may gain some.' 



98 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"13th. Brother Ayer was married last evening 
to sister Taylor. They will leave soon for a jour- 
ney of six or seven hundred miles in an open boat. 

"15th. Passed across the straits in company 
with brother Hall, for the purpose of spending the 
Sabbath at the Point, hoping, once more to preach 
Christ to this people. What a scene of misery and 
degradation. Breath of the Lord, Oh! breathe up- 
on this mass of death! The school still flourishes. 
Sixteen children in Sunday-school. 

"20th. The dear missionaries left this morning 
for the Indian country under the protection of 
traders of the Fur company, they go rejoicing in 
God. 

"Brother Boutwell goes into the interior about a 
thousand miles west of us, among a savage band 
of Indians. Brother Ayer and wife seven hundred. 
Hester Crooks who was formerly my assistant in 
Infant School work goes with them. 

"27th. Visited again Point St. Ignace, found the 
school in a most interesting state, about thirty 
children in attendance. Sister P's heart is ready 
to break in view of the vice and sin which surrounds 
her, Jesus Master, strengthen her for this great 
work, 'Thou art a High Priest touched with a 
feeling for our infirmities.' 

"29th. Left Mackinaw for Chicago I go out 



OPENING OF IVORK AT ST. IGNACE 99 

once more as a 'Stranger and a pilgrim' but my 
Master goes before and he will not forsake me. 

"30th. Safely anchored at Chicago. Inquired 
for boarding-house. All places filled, was asked 
into a Christian home to dine. Brother Porter 
called, very little prospect for opening a school. 
Captain and Mrs. Wilcox have just sent an invita- 
tion for me to spend my time with them. Capt. 
W. was brought to Christ in the revival at Sault 
Ste. Marie and has since married a pious lady, with 
whom I became acquainted at Mackinaw. 'Oh my 
Father, teach me to walk before all I meet as be- 
cometh the Gospel of our Lord. ' " 



CHAPTER VIII 

School work in Chicago 

The following paragraph from Andreas' History 
of Chicago and another paper in possession of the 
Historical Society, gives the main facts connected 
with Miss Chappel's school work there, while her 
own journals show the spirit in which the work was 
done. "Miss Chappel came to Chicago from Mack- 
inaw with Mrs. Seth Johnson in June 1833, with 
the intention of establishing a school, and upon 
arriving here became a member of Captain Wilcox's 
family. Here she was at the time of the Indian 
payment and treaty, when Mr. Robert Stuart of 
Mackinaw came to assist in the negotiations. Mr. 
Stuart was detained after the business was accom- 
plished by the prevailing south winds and inter- 
ested himself in starting a school for the children 
of the Fort and village. He met several officers 
who have children and other citizens and proposed 
Miss C — as teacher, testifying to her great success 
at Mackinaw. Much interest was awakened, a com- 
mittee was appointed and reported that sixty-seven 

dollars had been subscribed to sustain the school, 

100 



SCHOOL WORK IN CHICAGO 101 

and twenty-five scholars were promised who could 
pay tuition. The school opened in September, 
in a little loghouse just outside the military reser- 
vation; used up to that time by Mr. John Wright 
as a store. While Miss C — . was waiting for Mr. 
Wright to vacate the log store, he was erecting a 
frame one, the fourth built in the village, into 
which to move his goods. This removal being ac- 
complished Miss C — . took posession of the log 
building with her scholars and Miss Lucy Beach 
who was her assistant. The house was divided 
by calico curtains into two apartments, one for 
schoolroom the other for lodging-room. The wife 
of Sergeant Adams who lived near the bridge, pre- 
pared the meals for the two teachers and brought 
them to their cabin;many of the scholars furnished 
chairs for themselves, but those who were unable 
to do so had primitive seats supplied them. None 
of these had backs and there were no desks, but 
there was a table on which the older pupils did 
their writing. At one end of the room was a small 
raised platform with a table for the teacher. The 
apparatus consisted of a numeral frame, maps of 
the U. S. and the world, a globe, scripture texts 
and hymns, and illustrations of geometry and as- 
tronomy. Miss Chappell continued to teach in 
this log schoolhouse until January 1834 when she 
moved into the First Presbyterian church building 



102 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

in which soon afterward her infant school gave 
an exhibition which was highly satisfactory to 
her and to the patrons. An appropriation was 
made by the commissioners from the public school 
fund for the partial maintenance of this school, by 
which official act Miss Chappell was recognized as 
the first teacher employed and to her must be ac- 
credited the honor of having taught the first public 
school in Chicago. Miss C — soon conceived the 
idea of educating the girls who lived on the prairies. 
Her proposition to the parents of these girls was, 
that if they would send in their daughters with 
provisions upon which to subsist, she would give 
them a home in a one-and-one-half-story frame 
house owned by a sergeant in the fort which stood 
on La Salle street nearly west of the jail. In re- 
sponse to this offer, twelve girls were sent to her 
school, and made their homes with her in the Ser- 
geant's house. After getting in this older class of 
pupils it was decided to fit them for teachers so 
this became the first normal institution in Chicago. 
Beside Miss Beach, Miss Mary Barrows — afterward 
Mrs. Dudley and the mother of one of the pioneer 
missionaries of the W. B. M. I. in Japan— was as- 
sociated with Miss C — and when she resigned the 
charge in 1835, ft passed into the care of Miss Ruth 
Leavenworth. 

To return once more to the journal beginning 
"January 18 1834." 



SCHOOL IVORK IN CHICAGO W.i 

"Surely 'God leadeth the blind by a way that 
they know not' but if 'God lead, I need not, shall 
not' fear. 'How can I sink with such a prop.' 
The earth may be removed and the heavens pass 
away but the little child with head pillowed on 
the bosom of Jesus may rest secure. — 

"19th. My school prospers. Mountains seem to 
be giving way. 'God shall work and none shall 
hinder.' Much has already been done, for this 
wicked and gain-saying people. I was permittted 
to attend the dedication service of a Presbyterian 
church on the first Saturday of this month. A 
pleasant and commodious building — the third 
church building in this place including the Catholic. 
When I arrived last September; there was no house 
of worship here. A small circle of Christians met 
in a log school-house. The Presbyterians, Baptists, 
and Methodists, now meet at their respective 
places. 

"26th. Last evenng a prayer-meeting at my 
room. God himself was in our midst. 

"Feburary, 16th. 'Bless the Lord oh, my soul 
and all that is within me bless His holy name.' 
What infinite fulness. My weak • contracted soul 
can take in so little. Thanks to his grace I shall 
soon triumph over mine enemies. This diseased 
and quivering body shall be exchanged for one, 
•Like unto his glorious body.' Shall I indeed be 



104 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

assimilated body and soul to Jesus? Yes! I shall 
rise with Him, reign with Him. A sinner the 'chief 
of sinners. ' Saved by grace. Richest most precious 
truth! My bodily infirmities are great, but they 
are m)' treasures. They teach me where is my 
strength. They drive me to Jesus. In strong 
confidence I rest there. I cast my infirmities on 
Him. He takes my sicknesses. I pant after His 
holiness. I long to be conformed to His likeness. 
I see in his word that this is His will. 'Even our 
sanctification. ' It is indeed His will, that with 
faith unfeigned we should take Him for our salifi- 
cation and redemption 'Jesus is the end of the law 
for righteousness to every one that believeth. ' 
Faith is the principle. It triumphs over the world, 
and unites in one all the children with the Beloved, 
in whom the Father is ever well pleased. 

"March 30th. A quarterly examination of the 
school took place two weeks since. Parents and 
patrons expressed much pleasure. More interest 
is manifested in the progress of the school than 
could have been anticipated. How wonderfully 
has God wrought for us! 

Immediately upon the close of school left Chi- 
cago, in company with my assistant, Miss Beach, 
for the purpose of visiting the settlements about 
thirty miles south in one which her father resides. 
Mr. Porter and Mr. Freeman, who labor here, 



SCHOOL WORK IN CHICAGO 105 

ride alternately across the prairie to minister, to 
those in these settlements who will hear the word 
of life. These dear brethren have encountered 
much to make these trips the last year. 

"April ist. I hope to open school to-morrow 
Oh! my Saviour, what responsibility! I must 
see thy salvation in the conversion of these chil- 
dren. I cannot live if God do not appear for sal- 
vation! 

"April 15th. 'Heaven and earth may pass but 
the word of our God endureth forever. ' 'My soul 
fainted for thy salvation, 'saying when will thou 
comfort me.' What wonders hath God wrought. 
My school-room is a Bethel. Yesterday was a 
day long to be remembered eternity alone can re- 
veal its issues. 

" 1 8th. Hearing of two individuals, at a distance 
ol twelve miles, upon whom God had laid His 
afflictive hand and who had expressed a desire to 
come to Jesus, I was led to believe that it was the 
will of the Lord that some of his children should go 
and, 'Instruct them more perfectly' accordingly 
with a dear brother and sister I went to search 
them out. Upon our arrival found that we had 
not been misled one already hoped in Christ. 
The other yielded to the power of God and spoke 
of pardoning love. 

"24th. Two dear souls have as I trust yielded 



106 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

to Christ, in my room this evening. It has been, I 
trust as 'the gate of heaven' to man}' souls. O! 
Lord! increase my faith! How little of Christ 
have I. How unlike my Saviour! Let me 'Be 
conformed unto His image.' Let the old man of 
sin die. Let God become all. 

"June 6th. A teacher has just arrived designed 
to take my place in the school in Chicago. Jesus, 
Master give grace, wisdom, all she needs for the 
work. Shield her, keep under 'the shadow of thy 
wings.' Thou knowest well the sorrow of a stranger, 
and thou knowest too how to apply the healing 
balm to the weak and weary. 

"17th. Excruciating pain of body. Sweet afflic- 
tions! I will esteem anything precious which leads 
to new discoveries of His love. May I strive to 
be conformed in character to the image that I may 
be esteemed. Thy 'sister.' What condescension! 
'Whosoever shall do the will of my father the same 
is my mother and sister and brother. ' 'Not as 
men pleasers but as doing the will of God from 
the heart. ' The motives which prompt the chil- 
dren of the world and the children of God are, 
must be, entirely different, and as motives alone, 
in the sight of God gives character to acts with 
what abhorence 'He must look upon much which 
the world counts good and great. How degrading 
to the Christian to be influenced in his conduct by 



SCHOOL WORK IN CHICAGO 107 

no higher motive than the approbation of the ene- 
mies of His master. Indeed that man who is 
governed by no other motive is far from righteous- 
ness this being one of the distinctive features of 
the children of this world 'They love the praise of 
men more than the praise of God. ' 

"July 6th. Have been permited to-day to sit 
with my Beloved at His table I was led to con- 
trast this with the first such season enjoyed in 
Chicago about nine months since. Then in a little 
log-cabin, a few, very few, altogether unknown 
almost to each other, but bound by the cords of 
Christ's love. To-day within the consecrated 
walls of a commodious church, a multitude as- 
sembled. Not a few active devoted Christians 
brought from almost every quarter. Several from 
our midst came forward and took upon themselves 
the solemn vow, henceforth to know nothing but 
Jesus. 

"31st. How have I realized the power of God 
in sustaining me in a ride of ten miles on horse- 
back during the last week. I went to visit a school 
recently opened by a young lady who had been 
engaged with me in the work. God has opened 
in that dark corner an effectual door for labor. 
About twenty five children gathered from a dis- 
tance of several miles around. Some fourteen 
years of age, who have not been taught that Jesus 



108 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

Christ came to save them. Oh! gather them in 
thine own arms carry them in thy bosom. 
Saviour divine. 

"August, 9th. Received letters from mission- 
aries in the frontier settlments among the Indians 
requesting that an Infant school teacher be sent 
them. Several other places call loudly for help, 
Shall I go to Mackinaw for counsel in this matter? 

She did make the trip and writes from there. 

"16th. Met Miss Grant, principal of Ipswich 
seminary, Mass. Miss G. wishes to prepare and 
send out teachers. I consider this meeting most 
providential. We shall be enabled to open a way 
for many to press into this valley without delay. 
Miss G. is a supeior woman and her plan of in- 
struction highly approved by those who love the 
cause of Christ. Lord inspire these young women 
with a desire to devote themselves to teaching the 
ignorant and degraded. 

"26th. Left Mackinaw very abruptly this morn- 
ing for Chicago. 

"October 28th. Many weeks have passed since 
I have writen here. Much, very much, of import- 
ance has occurred. Indeed to an immortal being 
destined for eternity, what is not important? If, 
to our Father in heaven a sparrows fall is worthy 
of notice, what is too trifling for our improvement? 



SCHOOL WORK IN CHICAGO 109 

"November 5th. My situation at present is one 
involving deep and eternal responsibility, sur- 
rounded by a family of twelve, who have been 
committed to my care by their parents, and a school 
of sixty. I look up and cry 'God of wisdom direct. ' 
Let these souls live, let them now be born of the 
spirit. Lord Jesus my hope is in Thee. 

"27th. What mighty changes are affected in a 
few short days, and that for which we have long 
toiled and with the greatest care secured, removed 
in a moment — and only the cheerless echo left. 
Shall we rejoice to have it so? Yes! The Lord 
gave and the Lord hath taken 'Blessed be the name 
of the Lord. ' I will greatly magnify His name in 
that He will not suffer His children to retain other 
Gods. Take all that hinders Thine entrance into 
our souls. Thou art our only portion, none else 
shall have dominion over us. Since Jesus has 
bought us at such a price, we will acknowledge no 
other Master. How I long to look into this plan 
without a veil, to know as I am known, to behold 
His beauty and inquire in the upper sanctuary. 
Lay aside every weight, Oh! my soul, and run for 
the prize, which is set before. Hid in Christ. ' 
My surety, my all ! Darkness covers the land. My 
soul is sick when I look upon Zion. How is her 
beauty marred. Is this the Lamb's wife? Oh, Lord 
Almighty. Wash and purify for thy name's sake. 



110 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

For thine honor's sake appear. These thorns in the 
flesh these bodily pains and infirmities are tokens 
that the day of my release is at hand —of late, by 
reason of increased debility I have been led to be- 
lieve that my work in Chicago as a teacher is near- 
ly finished. Lord not as I will but as Thou wilt. 



CHAPTER IX 

MARRIAGE AND MOTHERHOOD 

Here the reader should be more formally in- 
troduced to 'Young Mr. Porter' with whose life 
that of Miss Chappell is from this time so closely 
linked. Jeremiah was the youngest child of Dr. 
William and Mrs. Charlotte Porter, and was born 
in the quaint and beautiful town of old Hadley — 
the village of the wide street and great elm trees 
— in the Connecticut valley just under the shadow 
of Mt. Holyoke and Mt. Tom. His father was 
one of long line of physicians, a grandson of Pres. 
Jonathan Edwards, and his mother, a Williams 
from Hatfield. The Hadley home had been in 
the family for two centuries and there the great 
roomy house, known to this generation as the old 
homestead, was built upon the site of a much older 
Porter mansion. Dr. Porter, was genial and 
generous and Mrs. P. a typical Puritan matron; 
looking well to the ways of her household, with 
ever ready hospitality, a woman of intense con- 
victions, conscientious, thoughtful, and with the 

touch of melancholy which so naturally associated 

111 



112 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

itself with the stern religious teaching of the day. 
At twelve years of age, her youngest son thought 
he had given his heart to the Saviour, and, with 
the approval of his parents, desired to make pub- 
lic confession of his faith. The good pastor and 
deacons considered the case, and although they 
found nothing unsatisfactory in his experience, 
feared that he was too young to realize the mean- 
ing of the step, and advised him to postpone it 
until he should be more mature. Years went on. 
The lad knew that no change had come in his de- 
termination or desire, but accepted the judgment 
of his seniors, that he had not been converted, and 
went through his preparatory studies at Hopkins 
Academy, his college course under Dr. Griffin, at 
Williams, and two years of theological study at 
Andover, desiring and pleading for the coveted 
"change of heart." He was too honest to profess 
a transformation which he did not feel, too humble 
minded to assert that he had been a Christian 
from early youth. The officers had gone contrary 
to the usual course, in allowing a young man not a 
member of any church, to remain so long in the 
theological seminary, and he turned sadly away 
at the close of the second year. His own desire 
was to preach the gospel, but how could he pro- 
claim to others that of which he had not experi- 
enced the saving power? For two years he took 



SCHOOL WORK IN CHICAGO 113 

charge of a Monitorial high-school in Troy, New 
York, and while teaching there, with great hesi- 
tation and self distrust, once more asked admis- 
sion to the visible church, and made public pro- 
fession of his faith in Christ. His last year of 
Theological study was spent at Princeton, and im- 
mediately upon his graduation he was ordained and 
commissioned by the American Home Missionary 
Society. He was first sent to Sault Ste. Marie, 
Michigan, and on his way, as has been mentioned, 
found Miss Chappel in the family of Mr. Stuart at 
Mackinaw. From that point his journey to the 
Sault was made in a birch bark canoe — which had 
been sent down for him by the Indian agent, Hon. 
H. R. Schoolcraft, the little craft was manned by 
French Canadian voyagers, and the party were 
three days on the way, camping at night on the 
shore, the last night in a snowstorm, for it was 
late in November when Mr. P. reached his place 
of labor. During the winter 1831-1832, the gar- 
rison and little community felt the mighty power 
of God's spirit, and many were brought to Christ. 
After eighteen months the troops from Fort Brady, 
(Sault Ste. Marie,) were ordered to Fort Dearborn 
(Chicago). As a large proportion of the little 
church were either officers or soldiers they urged 
their pastor to accompany them. The following 
story of their arrival at the Fort on Lake Michigan, 



114 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

and welcome there, is taken from Andreas' his- 
tory of Chicago. 

"As there was a Baptist mission at the Sault suffi- 
cient to meet the needs of those left at that place 
Mr. Porter accepted the invitation to accompany 
them to Chicago — the Home missionary society 
had requested him to explore the shores of Lake 
Michigan, and see if there were any settlements 
where the gospel might be preached. Mr. Porter 
therefore, in company with the troops under com- 
mand of Major John Fowle, arrived off Fort Dear- 
born May 1 2th, 1833, but on account of the 
roughness of the lake, did not land until the next 
day. Major Fowle had come to relieve Capt. 
Seth Johnson, and the little body of Christians in 
the Fort were much cast down, over the departure 
of the captain, who was a devout Christian, and a 
warm-hearted man. They knew what they were 
to lose, but did not know what they were to gain; 
hence it was natural that they should feel impatience 
and anxiety to know the religious character of 
those on board the schooner — On Monday, the 
waters being sufficiently smooth, the troops and 
others on the vessel landed, the surprise of those 
in the village of Chicago, was very great and agree- 
able to find that the schooner brought not only a 
minister, but the nucleus of a church organization, 
and a very warm welcome was extended to the 



SCHOOL WORK IN CHICAGO 115 

strangers. John Wright, an old acquaintance of 
Mr. Porters, in Williamstown, and one of the pray- 
ing men of the village, taking his hand said: 'Well 
I do rejoice! Yesterday was the darkest day I 
ever saw — Capt. Johnson who had aided in our 
meetings was to leave us and I was almost alone — 
I have been talking about and writing for a minis- 
ter for months in vain, and yesterday as we prayed 
with the Christian about to leave us, I was ready 
to despair, as I feared the troops coming in would 
all be utterly careless about religion. The fact 
that you and a little church were at the hour of 
our meeting, riding at anchor within gunshot of 
the Fort is like the bursting out of the sun from 
behind the darkest clouds.' Temporary arrange- 
ments were made for preaching in the fort; the 
carpenters-shop being emptied, cleaned and seated 
and the next Sunday Mr. P. preached his first 
sermon in Chicago. On June ist. arrangements 
were made for public worship outside the Fort as 
many citizens objected to going there. In the 
course of the year the first church edifice was built 
and it was dedicated in January 1834. 

This as has been said became Miss Chappell's 
school-room. Her work there, with the care of a 
family, and the many inconveniences of the rough- 
ly finished and crowded house, constantly overtaxed 
her strength, yet we find her abounding in other 



116 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

labors. The ladies' prayer-meeting and missionary 
society were organized by her, and whenever there 
was sickness or bereavement in the little commu- 
nity she hastened as adviser and consoler. During 
the autumn and winter of 1834 — 1835, there was 
deep religious interest in the church and many out- 
siders were brought in. The earliest converts 
were from the school and its rooms were a sort of 
center for the work which followed. The last of 
January Miss C's body refused longer to respond 
to the call of her unwearied spirit, and she was 
prostrated upon a bed of pain, from which neither 
physicians nor friends expected her to rise again. 
Seven weeks of suffering reduced her to extreme 
weakness, but while others looked for her release 
she expected to recover, and, ready to hear the call 
either to go, or to arise and labor, she was kept in 
a calm and joy which was a wonder to all who 
saw her. In March there was decided improve- 
ment, and while still too feeble to leave her room, 
while any plan for labor, even for life seemed al- 
most presumption, she promised, should she be 
restored, to become the wife of the young pastor, 
whose true helper in all parish work she had already 
been. Naturally, the family friends of Mr. Por- 
ter were distressed at the thought of such an as- 
sociation for the home missionary devoted to pio- 
neer service. Miss C's most loyal admirers also, 



SCHOOL WORK IN CHICAGO 117 

like Mr. and Mrs. Stuart felt constrained to remon- 
strate — Mr. S. said, impetuously: "I never knew 
Miss Chappell do anything wrong before but this 
certainly is wrong;" and Mrs. S. wrote years after- 
ward "It seemed the maddest thing in the world." 
Sensitive to the opinion and judgment of her 
friends this must have been a keen, although not 
unanticipated, trial to the invalid, but she knew 
herself better than they knew her. A sufferer al- 
ways, she was conscious of such physical endur- 
ance as is rare, and had not, after the decision was 
made, any anxious care as to its wisdom. Mr. 
Porter had known her only as a sufferer, under- 
stood her limitations, and having asked counsel of 
God, they truly believed that not only their greatest 
happiness but their largest usefulness lay in the 
union of their lives. 

Mr. Porter, the youngest child of a large family, 
was peculiarily dear to his mother, as the one whom 
she had given to the work of the ministry, and it 
was no less a trial to him than to her, that in his 
choice of a wife he should so grieve her. He had 
however, absolute confidence that he had done 
wisely and thought it only necessary for his friends 
to know his strong-hearted, if physically frail, Eliza 
to rejoice with and congratulate him. A packet of 
old yellow letters written during the few weeks of 
their separation before their marriage tell the story 



118 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

from his own standpoint, letters almost too 
sacred even for the eyes of their children, which 
breathe the devotion which they saw lived before 
them year after year — and which formed their ideal 
of a love without selfishness, strong enough to over- 
come all things, and having its reward in a unity of 
aim and purpose so complete as to have made 
their lives an idyl. Miss Chappell wrote nothing 
which is preserved of her engagement, and probably 
did not inform her friends of her plans, until she 
went to Rochester in April 1835. From her youth 
she had been doing the most unanticipated and 
apparently impracticable things. She had carried 
out, and been successful in, enterprizes which ap- 
peared Utopian, and her family friends had almost 
come to believe that whatever she undertook would 
prosper. She had gone alone to the wilds of the 
west, they could hardly do otherwise than rejoice 
that for the future — whether longer or shorter — she 
was to have the loving care of one whom they had 
learned to respect and admire from her description 
of the pastor so devoted to the up-building of 
Christ's cause on the frontier. Mr. Porter went east 
in May as the delegate of the Ottawa Presbytery to 
the General. Assembley in Pittsburgh, Penn. and 
returned to Rochester in the following month. 
The marriage ceremony was performed by the 
Rev. Tryon Edwards, in the Brick church of that 



SCHOOL WORK IN CHICAGO 119 

city, Jilne 15th, 1835. The wedding feast was at 
the home of a brother of the bride, Mr. Robert 
Chappell, and friends from Geneseo and Mt. Morris, 
were present to wish them joy. They went imme- 
diately to New England, where the young wife 
made the conquest of the hearts of Mr. P's. friends 
which he had anticipated. There must have been, 
however, not a few trying things about the visit. 
The mother and sisters were energetic competent 
women beside whom the little bride seemed very 
frail and delicate. Madame Porter was erect, 
queenly, and most direct and plain of speech. 
Charmed with the brightness and spirituality of 
her new daughter, she was rilled with foreboding as 
she saw the too manifest tokens of disease. Sitting 
beside her one day she took the transparent little 
hand in hers and exclaimed almost involuntarily, 
"Oh! what can such a poor little hand do?" The 
story was told when Mrs. P. looked on hands no 
longer shapely and transparent, but toil-worn and 
wrinkled, and said, with gentle humor" What haven't 
these poor'little hands'done in the fifty years since 
then?" The New England household may not 
have been at once convinced of the wisdom of 
Jeremiah's choice, but they never wondered at it 
after they knew his wife and grew to regard her, 
as the years went on, with an admiring affection 
which quite satisfied her husband. 



120 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

On the 30th, of July Mr. and Mrs. P. reached 
Chicago on their return. It had already been de- 
cided that the church should seek another pastor 
and Mr. P. had tried to secure one while at the 
east, but he was to remain with them until some 
arrangement for the supply of the pulpit could be 
made. 

In August the Juvenile missionary society, or 
ganized by Miss Chappell, had a sale of fancy 
articles made during the two years, and realized 
$140.00 which was sent to Gutzlaff's mission in 
China, "for the distribution of Bibles in that great 
Empire." Suggestive certainly, as the young pas- 
tor and his wife were later to make their personal 
offering, that of their children, to the same dark 
land. 

In September Mrs. Porter, went with her hus- 
band to visit his cousins at Hadley, Ills, a lit- 
tle settlement of Hampshire Co. colonists near the 
present site of Lockport. Dr. and Mrs. Moses 
Porter, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Williams, and the 
Rev. Lucian Farnam were all living there. Dr. 
P., Mr. W. and Mrs. F., were cousins of Mr. P. 

Mrs. Porter, remained with the friends for two 
weeks, and the foundations were laid for most de- 
lightful and life-long friendship. 

About this time came calls to the churches in 
Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Peoria, Ills. After 



SCHOOL WORK IN CHICAGO 121 

careful consideration it was thought best to go to 
the latter place, and there November found them. 

They took with them a little motherless girl, 
who had been committed to Miss C's care by her 
dying parent, and whom, on her return to Chicago, 
she found with friends awaiting her in the hope 
that she would give her a home. The three went 
into the family of Dr. and Mrs. Cross, who had 
at the time three children. They had been there 
but a few weeks when the eldest daughter — a lovely 
child of eight years — died, and the bereaved house- 
hold and the pastor's wife were brought into very 
tender relations by the sympathy and aid given at 
the time. 

In March, 1836, the first child William Robert, 
came to rejoice the hearts of the parents. Mrs. 
Porter had looked forward to this event with quiet 
confidence, and while her friends had the greatest 
anxiety for her, as she had been very ill during the 
winter, she was kept in entire restfulness of 
spirit. Her really fine physicial endowment re- 
vealed itself now as in every similar experience. 
For a few months the bright and healthful child 
was the delight of the circle, but in less than a 
year, the following February, he was seized with 
convulsions and taken away after most distressing 
suffering. Mrs. P. had received the child as pecu- 
liarly "from the Lord" to Him she gave him, with 



122 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

the same submission which made all her life, how- 
ever full of pain, free from struggle, and with a 
deep sense of the joy which lay even in such a loss 
she wrote "They only can be said to possess a child 
forever, who have lost one in infancy." Yet the 
tender mother heart was sore for her first born, and 
many a mourner, with whom she wept, knows 
what precious lessons she learned in that school of 
sorrow,, for the solace of other stricken ones. 

The year 1837, was a sadly eventful one in the 
little community, as well as in their home. In the 
autumn Mr. P. was away for some weeks to at- 
tend meetings of the Presbytery Synod, and an 
anti-slavery convention at upper Alton. There he 
saw for the last time Elijah Lovejoy, who shortly 
after was killed by a mob. The journey was made 
in stormy weather across a soaking prairie, and 
the latter part of it under great excitement, as in 
siding with the abolitionists, he was going contrary 
to the judgment and desire of almost all his friends, 
and placing himself in the ranks of a hated and 
maligned party. He preached twice on the Sab- 
bath after he reached home, although burning with 
fever. This was his last work for many weeks, 
he went down into the very shadow of death. 
Mrs. Porter endured the fatigues of the long nursing 
in a way which surprised all the circle who shared 
the care with her. In this emergency as in many 



SCHOOL IVORK IN CHICAGO 123 

which came after it was found that the "frail little 
woman" was the one whose strength and courage 
never failed, and that she was able to bear a strain 
under which the strong fainted. 

Before Mr. P's recovery the third and last child 
of Dr. Cross was taken from them by disease, and 
the first time the pastor and wife went together 
from his sickroom, it was to that house of mourn- 
ing. Shortly after came tidings of the death of 
Mrs. Flavel Bascom, who had come to Central, 
Ills., as a bride about a year before. The new 
country, with its great stretches of undrained prairie, 
proved most unhealthful for New England peo- 
ple, and within a few years Mr. P. noted in his jour- 
nal the death of seven minister's wives and of many 
children. Restored to health again, with his wife 
carried safely through the long anxious watching 
they came to the end of this year with peculiar grat- 
itude. In December they removed to Farmington 
Ills., and then, for the first time in their married 
life took possession of an entire house; up to this 
time they had either boarded or lived in a few 
rooms under the same roof with others, and estab- 
lished themselves in their own home — although 
still a rented one. There in February they wel- 
comed the second son James Wolcott, and in No- 
vember of the following year the third, John Ed- 
wards. There are no more journals, very few let- 



124 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

ters from Mrs. Porter's pen during these and many 
subsequent years. Dear home cares and untiring 
parish work filled all the hours. Mr. P's journals 
still, as through all the years since he left them, 
went regularly to the New England friends, and 
from these the sequence of events is easily gathered. 
They are filled, however, more with details of 
ministerial than household life, and convey above 
everything else the impression that neither of the 
two ever forgot that the end of life was service, and 
to "sow besides all waters" if by any means souls 
might be won to Christ. 

Early in 1840, the church at Green Bay, which 
had twice before desired Mr. Porter, as their pas- 
tor, again urged him to come to them and in April 
of that year they set out for the new field. James 
was at this time little more than two years old and 
baby John about six months. The trip to Chicago 
was made by private conveyance. A friend from 
Farmington, Mr. Wilcox whose invalid wife was 
to accompany them to the north, drove the car- 
riage in which the ladies and children with Mr. P. 
were. The roads were bad, the days stormy and 
often the wheels of both carriage and wagon were 
sunk deep in the mud; the desired stopping 
places could not be reached at night, and the weary 
travelers, and half-sick children were glad to find 
lodging in the log-cabins or small rude frame 



SCHOOL IVORK IN CHICAGO 125 

houses of scattered settlers. Coarse fare and poor 
accomodations often, but every where, kindly if 
rough hospitably and the young mother was never 
too weary for some thoughtful aid, some word 
of sympathy and cheer, which made the visit 
memorable as that of one who was walking in a 
light not of the earth and so not shadowed by its 
vicissitudes. She had need now of clear vision of 
the things unseen for weary watchings, long weeks 
of painful anxiety were before her on that pilgrim 
way. After many delays and exposures they 
reached the homes of the circle of cousins at Had- 
ley, but not before little John had become very ill. 
Since their previous visit Mr. and Mrs. Williams 
had been stricken by the death of their children, 
and only little Mary, now Mrs. E. W. Blatchford 
of Chicago, was left of the dear group to wel- 
come them. Mrs.W. a great hearted, noble mind- 
ed woman, had too recently seen own her children 
pass away to be hopeful for any feeble child, and 
from the first, thought the baby could not recover. 
For two weeks the parents and friends watched 
the little sufferer, and at the end of that time it 
seemed best for them to pursue their journey. In 
Chicago, Mrs. John Wright made them welcome to 
her home and there for another week they awaited 
the coming of a steamer for Mackinaw. Physicians 
assured them that the lake trip was likely to be 



126 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

beneficial, rather than otherwise, to the malarial 
poisoned, and fever parched babe, and they em- 
barked hoping to go directly to Green Bay, but 
again, as in almost every move on this journey, 
they were disappointed. They waited a week at 
Mackinaw for a schooner for the Bay. The time 
must have passed wearily, as their friends, both 
in community and mission were gone, and they 
were strangers in a comfortless hotel. 

In July they at length reached their destination, 
having been seven weeks and four days on the way 
from Farmington, and all that time watching the 
struggle with disease of the suffering child. They 
were welcomed by Mr. Mitchell, early mentioned 
in Mackinaw journal by Miss Chappell, who was 
now a resident of Green Bay, and taken directly 
to his home. There for another week the gentle 

mother devoted herself to her baby boy, and then 
with relief as well as sorrow, saw him released 
from pain, and began life in her new home with 
only little James as her child comforter. Perhaps 
in the early days of her loneliness, was born in the 
boys heart that tenderness for his mother which 
through childhood, youth and manhood made him 
her peculiarly devoted knight. The bracing climate 
of northern Wisconsin, was a great contrast to that 
of the malarial prairies of Illinois and with reviving 
strength, the pastor and his wife entered upon the 
new work with chastened hope and loving zeal. 



CHAPTER X 

GREEN BAY LIFE. THE HOME AND THE PARISH 

This was there home for eighteen years, the 
home in which the family life developed, which all 
the household now surviving remember, the only 
one in which they were for a succession of years to 
gether. There the mother learned many of the 
deeper things which belong to her character as they 
it, and about it the fondest and dearest of the 
home memories cluster. We need not trace the 
events year by year, but may glance at the vicissi- 
tudes, the duties and responsibilities of the increas- 
ing family and the parish and see how they met by 
this gentle woman who "loved those her heavenly 
Father permitted her to call her own, with a con- 
stancy and tenderness which no language can rep- 
resent," and yet held even these as a trust, given 
not to release her from, but to give new solemnity, 
to that peculiar consecration of her youh. Her 
old friend Mr. Stuart said after visiting her in Green 
Bay, "Well! I was mistaken. Here is that little 
woman, whom I thought just slipping into the grave, 

more devoted than ever — a perfect wife, a perfect 

127 



128 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

mother and a perfect housekeeper." Was she that? 
No one would have answered emphatically in the 
negative with such emphasis as herself. Her stand- 
ard was the law of God. She did not reach her own 
ideals, and these she know to be far below His per- 
fect will. Those who know her most intimately give 
uniform testimony to her rare faithfulness, in that 
which is least Had she attained without appar- 
ent struggle that which she set before her house- 
hold as the aim, there would have been less 
tenderness and not more of reverence in the affec- 
tion of her children than came with their occasional 
glimpses of the imperious will, so habitually re- 
stained; her keen sarcasm and look of scorn 
were far more dreaded by them, than any other 
punishment. She saw through a subterfuge, at a 
glance, and could by an attitude or gesture make 
a weakness seem so petty, for she was a natural 
mimic. They loved her the more, that with such 
weapons in her armory, she forbore to use them, 
and they admired as well as loved her, the more that 
they knew she forbore, and was not incapable. Mr. 
Porter first found a home in the large mansion of 
Mr. Mitchell, into which they had been welcomed 
as guests, and then established his household in 
another, owned by the same thoughtful and gener- 
ous friend. In 1847 ne purchased the low ram- 
bling story and a half cottage, diagonally opposite 



GREEN BAY LIFE 129 

the church, and that was, and is to the family the 
Green Bay home. Its ceilings were low, its rooms 
of very moderate size, it had quaint corners, and 
stairways and closets in unexpected places. A 
wood-house, carriage-house and ice-house in a 
long L. had over them the most charming of attics 
for adventurous climbing upon beams, and hidings 
in the dark corners of the sawdust-packed walls 
about the ice chamber. To the south and east of 
the house lay the vegetable and flower gardens, while 
to the northwest, shut in on two sides by the house 
and the above mentioned L. and from the street by 
a high board fence, was the grassy yard, devoted 
largely to the children. Long wood piles had their 
place, and clotheslines were stretched over the 
lawn, but these only added to its interest and pos- 
sibilities for entertainment. In it were the teter 
and swing, and against the woodhouse a long car- 
penter's bench. But one window overlooked it, and 
that was from mother's room. In all the neighbor- 
hood it was understood that -there was no place 
for play like that yard and the delightful L. and it 
was the gathering place of the children. Remem- 
bering the mother's busy life one wonders now how 
she could have endured that noisy group just un- 
der the window. It seemed to the children that 
she always was there, the mending basket, replen- 
ished as soon as emptied, by her side. Reproofs 



130 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

were infrequent, bright kindly suggestions came 
often to the screaming, laughing company. Gal- 
lantry to girls was the fashion on that playground: 
was it because the soft-voiced hostess spoke so 
courteously to boys that she at once made them 
feel themselves gentlemen? There were times 
when the voice was not soft; when the rudest 
quailed before a flashing eye, and note of scorn in 
the tone which was not easily forgotten and which 
no one wished twice to encounter; that was when 
something cruel was done, an insect tortured, or a 
shrinking little chlid teased. No one who had 
seen it could doubt the capacity for righteous indig- 
nation in the usually placid woman. Many a boy 
shrank away from another look, accompanied by 
few words with which she dismissed the guest who 
violated the hospitality of the yard by vulgar or 
profane speech. To many things she was appar- 
ently deaf; while play was good-humored and 
language clean, the neighborhood were welcome 
to her lawn, and the companionship of her cherished 
children. Not a difficult thing perhaps in the ear- 
lier years, but as time went on a large foreign pop- 
ulation came into the town and a number of fami- 
lies of the ignorant class took possession of a tene- 
ment house near the minister's. Should these chil- 
dren, dirty, unkempt, knowing little English and of 
that, alas! a good share better unknown, be also 



GREEN BAY LIFE 131 

the companions of her sons and daughters? She 
considered the question as she did every one — be- 
fore the Lord. She belonged to Him, so did those 
whom He had entrusted to her. Were they not 
to be used for the service of the lost also? Was 
any life too young, too weak, to have part in the 
"seeking and saving?" If any one in the parish 
were excluded from possible help she might give, 
would not the soul be "Required at the watchman's 
hands?" We knew nothing of the struggle, we 
only knew that our clannish unwillingness to share 
our pleasures with "Those children" was made to 
appear very unlovely in our eyes, and we vied with 
one another in efforts to win our bashful neighbors. 
The large boys soon went to work, and we saw no 
more of them, but the little girls in the quaint caps 
and short waisted dresses of the old country peas- 
antry became our devoted friends. We sewed 
patchwork together under that low window and the 
tireless mender within found time and thought to 
teach the motherly maidens to darn and patch for 
the babies who rolled on the grass beside them. 
When sickness and death came to the home she 
took us with her when she went to put one of our 
baby dresses on the little form before it was laid 
in the coffin, and was more than rewarded when 
the poor mother exclaimed "Oh! the Holy Mother 
herself is not more kind. I will teach the children 



132 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

to be good if you will show me how!" The sense 
of responsibility of stewardship was ever upon 
her. She used to say so often and earnestly. 
"Don't miss the little opportunity for doing a kind- 
ness. It may not come again to-morrow; it is 
only by being very careful to use each one that 
we can be ready when a great door opens. " For 
herself she seemed always on the watch for that 
"Great door." All daily service and friendly 
ministry was to win a way by which to make her 
Lord lovely in the eyes of those about her, and find 
the heart door into which He might enter. 

No where was her wise forethought more mani- 
fest than in the domestic arrangements, the order 
ing of her household. She could not gratify her love 
for beautiful things, narrow means and limited time 
forbade that, but her home had always the adorn- 
ment of exquisite neatness and its simple belong- 
ings were arranged with a care and taste which made 
them appear at their best. She used to say with a 
smile, "I was always too busy to wait upon my child- 
ren. I had to do what was far harder; teach them to 
on themselves. " So there was watchful care to 
make it practicable, rows of nails in convenient 
places, within the reach of very short arms, and 
the gentle reminder never neglected or forgotten. 
If they forgot she seldom did the thing for them, 
but let them find the discomfort and annoyance of 



GREEN BAY LIFE 133 

neglected duty. The penalty was as far as possi- 
ble the deprivation of the very privilege abused. 
A cap or bonnet thrown down meant the quiet but 
absolutely inexorable refusal to allow the offender 
to go out the next time he or she was ready for 
play; a disorderly room a call from the merriest 
game to set it to rights, and the reason given 
more often than any other was "We cannot have 
a pleasant home unless you learn to remember. " 
Very soon to her own thought, and early to theirs 
came the oft repeated: "My children must acquire 
such habits as will make them the least care to 
others, for mother will not be with them, to do 
things for them." Northern Wisconsin seemed 
almost as far from school privileges in those days 
as the remotest frontier town, in the new west 
does now. The elder boys were sent to Mr. Por- 
ter's old New England home when mere children; 
each in turn had years in the family of kind uncles 
and aunts in Hadley, and all but the youngest, at 
one time or another were in the academy there. 
Nowhere were Mrs. Porter's conscientiousness 
and executive ability more clearly displayed than 
in her dealings with those who came into her serv- 
ice. She was never able to bear the entire burden 
of household labor and never tried to do so, but 
she could often secure only the most untrained 
and incompetent help, and much of her time was 



134 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

necessarily given to the details of the kitchen. An 
excellent cook, she made it her aim to prepare 
very simple food so daintily and nicely that it 
should be always inviting. To set a thoroughly 
wholesome, attractive and yet inexpensive table 
is no easy task with all modern conveniences and 
labor saving devices, to do it forty years ago was 
yet more difficult, and to do without expending 
upon it hours which were more valuable for other 
service was her aim. How often have I seen the 
long snowy, sand-scoured table in the little kitchen, 
covered when we sat down to breakfast, with her 
morning baking, already taken from the oven, the 
fruit of her busy hands, while the house was still, 
and her guests, if not her children, asleep. Mr. 
Porter was usually in the garden for two hours be- 
fore the seven o'clock breakfast in summer, and 
she in the buttery caring for the cream and butter 
or doing the baking for the large household. The 
girl was often just from northern Europe; Nor- 
wegian, German, or Belgian, ignorant of every- 
thing Amercian even to the language and needing 
constant supervision in the simplest details. Some 
of those helpers went from Mrs. Porter's kitchen 
to pleasant homes of their own, and wherever 
they went, each carried memories of most thought- 
ful kindness, painstaking teaching in the lines of 
domestic work, and very few left the home who had 



GREEN BAY LIFE 135 

not learned to read or write while in her service. 
How did she find the time? Took it where there 
was no other teacher, but after her children had 
mastered the First Reader she had no lack of happy 
co-adjutors. One at least sat often on that sand- 
scoured table before she was tall enough to reach 
up from a chair, to follow the big finger of Ger- 
man Mary, as it went from side to side of the Tract 
Primer, in laborious ploughing of the lines of that 
elementary text-book. How often the mother 
said "God sent Mary to help us in the kitchen so 
that we could teach her about Him !" and there 
was a sort of shock when we learned that in some 
household this department — the school in the 
kitchen — formed no part of the domestic economy. 
None could have accomplished what Mrs. Porter 
did who was not skilful in marshalling her forces 
and setting others at work. One trifling instance of 
this will suggest her methods. The browning of 
coffee was a task too delicate to be trusted to care- 
less or inexperienced hands yet one for which her 
own time was quite too precious. For many years a 
poor old neighbor, dependent on the parish for 
support, came weekly for the berries which she 
browned with most painstaking care to the exact 
shade desired, over her own little stove, and took 
her toll for her own drinking. Another neighbor 
famous for her skill in putting up fruit, relieved 



136 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

the pastor's wife from much of that care and in 
return received a share of the fruit, and was assist- 
ed in knitting for her family by the tireless fingers 
of Mrs. Porter, whose needles were always in 
motion while Jshe received guests and listened to 
the stories of domestic or parish difficulties, poured 
from all quarters into her sympathetic ears. The 
household always included others than her own; 
during almost all the years at Green Bay she had 
some lady teacher in the family; through whom 
she was able to gain influence over the young peo- 
ple. Miss Mary Waters, afterward Mrs. John 
Smith of Peoria, Ills., was first with them, beloved 
as a sister by both Mr. and Mrs. P. Later Miss 
Sabra Adams, (now Mrs. H. H. Benson of Wau- 
watosa, Wis.,) and her sister Miss Martha Adams 
for many years and still a devoted laborer in A. 
M. A. work at the south, were in the home. A 
nephew of Mr. Porter's, stepson of one of his sis- 
ters, was for five years a member of the family 
while studying law, and beginning its practice at 
Green Bay. He was a man of brilliant mind, just 
from college, critical and inclined to skepticism — 
but was soon won to admiring love for Aunt Eliza 
and ready to admit that her goodness was genuine 
and her mind as keen as her heart was kind. She 
saw through shams and hated them as vigorously 
as did the arrogant student, but she believed in 



GREEN BAY LIFE 137 

God and goodness as he was trying not to, and as 
he watched her daily life he acknowledged a power, 
not of the earth which made her in her weakness, 
strong. The daughters of her younger brother 
who lived in Illinois, spent years in her family, three 
being there in turn, and part of the time two to- 
gether. Aside from these inmates of the home, 
transient guests were constantly coming and going. 
Green Bay was the terminus of the steamer 
route from Buffalo, so that almost all ministers on 
their way to and from the east, passed through 
there. The pastor's house was always open to 
them, and they were entertained with a beautiful 
hospitality which made such visits long to be 
remembered. Home missionaries with their fami- 
lies, weary preachers off for vacation and not 
a few tourists whose names are widely known, 
came to the little home. How either house 
or purse proved adequate to the many demands 
upon them is hard to understand, but the well or- 
dered household was prepared for emergencies and 
the great hearted woman who presided over it ac- 
cepted each guest as sent of the Lord, and her 
ministry to physical need as part of the service 
rendered Him. The parish extended far out in 
the country, not a few came from a distance for 
Sabbath worship, some of these were very poor 
people. One family who lived seven miles dis- 



138 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

tant brought several little children. If they stayed 
to the afternoon service they must have, and even 
if they went back before it, they needed a mid- 
day meal. How should it be provided? Could 
the already over-burdened house-mother under- 
take that also? Her courage almost failed but 
never quite, and she loved to tell how God made 
plain the way. 

Among those brought into the church during the 
early years of Mr. Porter's ministry, was an elderly 
lady whose husband was a judge in very comfort- 
able circumstances. He was much displeased 
that his wife left his, the Episcopal church, which 
however, he rarely attended, for the "Fanatical 
Presbyterian" and would contribute nothing to its 
support. The wife however, had control of the 
household expenditures and for years, each Satur- 
day there came to the parsonage loaves of bread, 
cards of sweet raised buns, and often a great pan 
of doughnuts from Grandma — there was no more 
question about the Sunday lunch, and many an 
hour of tender helpful teaching Mrs. Porter gave 
while serving tea, buns and doughnuts to country 
parishioners. At one time the family from Duck 
Creek came in the week time with sick children 
to get medical advice.. The weather was bitterly 
cold, they could not be sent home beyond the 
reach of a physician, so room was found or made for 



GREEN BAY LIFE 139 

them in the little cottage and the mother, com- 
forted and instructed in the art of nursing while 
Mrs. Porter watched with her for many days over 
the little ones. Both recovered and the only com- 
ment in Mr. P's journal is "We are very grateful 
that we could help bear their burdens." Not a 
word of what it cost! Four untidy, ill -cared for 
persons taken into Mrs. Porter's daintily neat and 
carefully ordered home! 

Other guests came too, stole in under cover of 
the night, whose presence must not be known even 
by the neighbors, for there was a strong pro-slavery 
element in the parish and not a little ill-feeling at 
the pronounced abolition views of the pastor. This 
story we can give in Mrs. Porter's own words as 
she wrote it out at the request of Dr. William 
Crawford, when he was preparing a historical dis- 
course for the fortieth anniversary of the Green 
Bay, church. She wrote: "I am not surprised 
that you could not learn much in regard to the con- 
cealment of the fugitives for it was secret service, 
before the Lord, which, had we taken counsel of 
wise men in church and state could not have been 
performed. The facts were on this wise, A letter 
came from Mr. L. Goodell of Stockbridge, saying 
that a father and his children had for some time en- 
joyed refuge in that Indian nation, but pursuers 
had discovered their resting place and would find 



140 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

means to re-enslave them. Friends had planned 
to send them by night to Green Bay. Would we 
receive them and send them to the steamboat on 
the coming Tuesday? Surely we could do that 
small service without disturbing any conscience 
however weak, especially as the captain of the 
boat was said to be an abolitionist. They would 
arrive at night and could be put on board without 
observation. They did not arrive at the hour 
appointed; but at midnight we were awakened by 
a knock at our window, and there stood the poor 
trembling father, and three cold hungry children. 
Our house was already full and the boat was not 
in port, and they feared the pursuers were on their 
track. In a few hours many inquisitive eyes and 
ears would be open. Mr. Porter said: 'Where can 
we hide them. In the ice-house? In the side 
closets of the parsonage?' I asked the God of all 
wisdom, love and truth to direct and during the 
act of prayer a text of scripture came to mind 
which suggested the church. 'Yes. That is the 
place,' Mr. Porter replied, 'the belfry!' They 
were warmed, fed and comforted with the assur- 
ance that they were among friends and then Mr. 
Porter took them to the sanctuary — to the highest 
place in it. The boat we looked for at dawn, did 
not come; four long days and anxious nights pass- 
ed, and the dear man fed and cheered them and 



GREEN BAY LIFE 141 

did not grow weary. On Saturday morning the 
question came what effect the Sabbath services 
might have upon their retirement; indeed many 
questions were arising which were solved by the 
delightful announcement that the boat was in 
sight, already in harbor. Mr. Porter, Mr. Kimball 
and others made arrangements for their departure. 
When I opened the church door, the glad father 
and happy children rushed out and took their places 
in a little sail-boat which was waiting for them at 
the shore and were carried to the steamer Michi- 
gan, when Capt. Stewart took them into his care 
and conveyed them to her Majesty's land of free- 
dom. On landing the first act of the grateful father 
was to prostrate himself, kiss the free soil, and 
give thanks to the Lord who had brought them 
out of the house of bondage." Mrs. Porter adds 
in parenthesis: "There were so many ludicrous in- 
cidents connnected with the whole affair that as I 
write I must need pause and laugh alone". 

At another time a very tempest of revolt was 
stirred up in one little girl's heart by "a dirty black 
girls'" being lodged in the child's room. When, how- 
ever, in the middle of the night the poor fugitive 
sprang up with wild cries that "the officers are after 
me'.'and the penitent child saw the marks of the cruel 
whip across her shoulders, a passion of desire to 
atone for her selfishness took possession of her, 



142 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

and the patient mother, who a few hours before 
had tried in vain to win cheerful consent to the 
defilement of her presence in the room, now had 
equal difficulty in persuading the impetuous little 
creature that she ought not to give all her most 
cherished possessions to the poor girl to "make up." 
Evidently a house full of such ardent little peo- 
ple was not a safe place for concealment and the 
wanderer was hurried on to Mr. Tank's more quiet 
home to await a steamer. Among Mrs. Porter's 
marked characteristics were her fearlessness and 
quiet under the most trying circumstances, an in- 
stance or two of this fortitude and calm will show 
how, as if instinctively, her mind went forward to 
the thing to be done, and emotion was held in 
abeyance for action. Soon after their coming to 
Green Bay, while they were in Mr. Mitchell's large 
house the eldest son, not four years old, was seen 
one day perched on the ridgepole of the high roof. 
He had made his way up a long ladder to the 
eaves, from there to the top, and was in a position 
of real peril. The mother saw him, hardly dared 
to look for a moment, realized that no one could 
reach the child without startling him and increas- 
ing his danger. She stopped for an instant of 
prayer, then spoke in the quiet tone which he was 
always accustomed to obey. "You have been on 
the roof long enough dear, come down to mam- 



GREEN BAY LIFE 143 

ma," There was no suggestion of anxiety or fear, 
it was so simple and matter of fact that the baby 
boy was not disturbed, but unconscious of danger 
made the perilous descent. A friend who was in- 
side the window, and who told the story said: "I 
sat and cried, but Mrs. Porter just looked up smil- 
ing to encourage the child, and did not go near 
the ladder until he was within her reach." At 
another time, one Saturday morning the nursery 
was arranged for the weekly baths — the tubs set 
near the stove, and a great fire of pine kindled, 
the stovepipe loosened near the chimney and be- 
gan to fall. Cotton clothing was lying about the 
room and three little children playing there. Mrs. 
P. saw the danger to them and the probability that 
curtains or bedding would take fire, she stepped 
forward, caught and held the almost red hot pipe, 
and said, "Go quickly for papa!" Before help 
came the hands were blistered, in one or two spots 
burned to the bone, but she had not loosened her 
hold. Not a hair of baby curls was singed, little 
nerves scarcely startled, for there had been no ex- 
clamation either of fear or pain, just the eager 
mother look of protecting love, while she waited. 
There were never any but little children in that 
home. The eldest son left at nine years of age 
for New England, the second before he was 
twelve, and the eldest daughter went to Chicago, 



144 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

to the home of Mrs. John Williams, for her ninth 
winter. They returned to be sure, but the boys 
for no long continued home life and the daughter 
was in the Hadley academy at fourteen. In I845 
Henry Dwight the fifth son and sixth child was 
born. He was a frail delicate boy, and when a 
little sister came fifteen months later, had not 
learned to walk. What should the mother do 
with two helpless babies? She loved to tell the 
story how her sallow-faced, great-eyed boy was 
brought to her bedside, and she explained to him 
that this was his baby, a little sister come to be 
his peculiar charge. Oh! wise mother! She had 
reason to anticipate chivalry from his father's sons. 
The sick baby boy did not disappoint her trust, 
however much he needed mother's care, a sound 
from the cradle was a signal for his slipping from 
her lap and "My baby cry," was his plea for her to 
take up, not himself, but, "little sister." The ; tired 
mother rejoiced in her generous boy, and of all 
household, stories loved to repeat none better than 
incidents of his unchildlike unselfishness and de- 
votion to the chubby unappreciative usurper of all 
the peculiar rights and privileges of that kingdom 
which belongs in every home to the youngest. 

The year 1 849 saw the birth of the last daughter, 
a sweet fair-headed blue-eyed maiden who seemed 
especially mother's because more of a Chappell than 



I 




MADAM TANK (1870) 



GREEN BAY LIFE 145 

Porter, in coloring and feature. She stayed with 
us but a year, and dear memories in the home, 
and another little mound in the graveyard were 
all left on earth of the mother's namesake Eliza. 
Two years later the ninth and last child came to 
the circle named Robert, for Mrs. P's father and 
Otto for Mr. Tank, who had the year before come 
to Green Bay and was already one of the most be- 
loved friends of the family. No life of Mrs. Por- 
ter would be complete which did not give some- 
what full mention of this singular and remarkable 
household. This cannot be better done than by a 
little sketch prepared for the Chicago Advance at 
the time of Mrs. Tanks death in 1891, which will 
be found in the appendix. In desire to promote 
the cause of Christ, and devotion to his service 
Mrs. Tank and Mrs. Porter were kindred spirits, 
but in all the circumstances of their lives, and in 
their natural endowments and qualities there 
could hardly have been a greater contrast. Prac- 
tical work, the guidance and control of those about 
her, and the details of household management 
were as easy for the one as difficult for the other. 
No man, woman, or child, came into Mrs. Porter's 
circle with whom she did not soon find or make a 
common interest, while Mrs. Tank looked in vain 
for that which was sympathetic or congenial among 
this busy alien people. The two households soon 



146 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

became very intimate. Mary, the only child of 
Mr. and Mrs. Tank, was allowed to associate with 
almost no other young people, but was soon at 
home in the pastor's family. She and Charlotte 
Porter were of the same age and their child friend- 
ship grew with the years, and was a most helpful 
one to both. Mrs. Porter appreciated and loved 
Mrs. Tank, and she in turn had the most reverent 
and tender attachment for the wise and practical 
friend, whose judgment she trusted and whose 
methods and aims seemed to her so Christlike. 



CHAPTER XI 

THE SCHOOL IN THE COURTHOUSE. HOMELIFE AND 
OTHER INTERESTS 

The private schools which Mrs. Porter's influ- 
ence had secured from time to time at Green Bay, 
met very inadequately the needs of the growing 
town. The want of proper instruction for the 
youth was a constant burden to her and no sooner 
was she released from the demands of the nursery 
than she determined to do something to supply 
the lack. Robert was but five years old when she 
decided to established a school which should at 
least be a beginning of better things, and encour- 
age others to carry them forward. Two sisters, 
recent graduates of Knox college were found, 
daughters of old Mackinaw missionary friends, who 
were willing to come to Green Bay, and enter 
upon this school work with no fixed remuneration. 
They were to have a home in Mrs. Porter's family, 
and receive such sums as should come from a 
moderate tuition. No child was however, to be 
excluded from the school because not able to pay 

for its privileges. The upper floor of the court- 

147 



148 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

house building was secured, four large and two 
smaller rooms. In the main room Mrs. P. herself 
presided, while her assistants heard recitations and 
had charge of the older pupils in the others; two 
nieces, then in her household, gave her some aid 
in caring for the one hundred children who were 
gathered in the barely finished and not very com- 
fortable large room. Mr. Porter was enlisted for 
recitations each day, in higher mathematics and 
Latin, which for want of other room were crowd- 
ed into the entry. The family at the parsonage 
now numbered thirteen. Happily a strong and effic- 
ient middle-aged woman, generally competent in her 
own department, presided in the kitchen so Mrs. 
P. was not obliged to be head cook as was so often 
the case; but general -manager she was, arranging 
and perscribing the duties of each one of the some- 
what complex family. One of the nieces was an in- 
valid, able to meet only the lightest responsibilities, 
the other had been sent to her aunt's care because 
of over-wrought nerves and needed special thought- 
fulness and wisdom in her guidance. The efficient 
servant was mildly insane and while she performed 
her duties thoroughly and well was not to be relied 
on as to temper, and might be confidently expected 
to produce a sensation periodically, by the develop- 
ment of some new eccentricity. The young ladies 
from Galesburg came from a very different home; 



THE SCHOOL IN THE COURTHOUSE 149 

they must be made happy in the little crowded 
parsonage, and not allowed to feel too keenly the 
contrast with their accustomed life. Mrs. P. had 
taken up each of these responsibilities, one after 
another, with stong conviction of duty, and her 
courage did not fail as she faced them all. From 
kitchen to parlor, from nursery to school-room she 
went, not forgetting or neglecting one interest for 
another and for months she showed to the commun- 
ity that there was need and demand for a school of 
high grade, which should fill the place of the New 
England academy. 

The result was the beginning of the present sys- 
tem of graded city schools, and Mrs. Porter was re- 
paid for all the anxious thought and many months 
of varied labors by seeing the next year a public 
school established with a thoroughly qualified 
teacher at its head, and a corps of good women as 
his assisstants. 

Mr. Porter's parish included two or three preach- 
ing places besides his own church, and in these 
outlying districts Mrs. P. took the keenest interest, 
especially in a Sunday-school, which she had been 
instrumental in gathering, seven miles from town 
at the already mentioned settlement of Duck 
Creek. 

It has been said that Mrs. P. wrote little during 
these years, it need hardly be added that she — the 



150 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

eager student, so fond of books — read little. The 
other occupations were too manifold, but here she 
was more favored than many women. She was 
never allowed to lose her interest in, and knowledge 
of current events, but kept in sympathy with the 
thought of the time in theology, literature and pol- 
itics. Mr. Porter read aloud as naturally and 
easily and with apparently as little fatigue as to 
himself, and wherever mother was, in pantry, 
nursery, or parlor, he followed with the latest news- 
paper or magazine. Neither the one nor the other 
were so voluminous or so varied as now, but they 
were read more conscientiously than in the pres- 
ent deluge of periodical literature, and the great 
events of church and state were known and dis- 
cussed in the household This reading aloud was 
Mr. Porter's relaxation and rest, the occupation of 
his leisure hours; and what a refreshment to the 
busy house-wife and mother to be taken from her 
little world, without neglecting it, into the larger 
sympathy and broader outlook of those who were 
leaders of thought and action in Christian phi- 
lanthropic and scientific lines! In hours of study 
she was also when practicable, her husband's com- 
panion. The work-basket beside his table, instead 
of at her window, that she might share his read- 
ing and thought, if only by snatches. The children 
early learned to think of such hours as mother's 



THE SCHOOL IN THE COURTHOUSE 151 

special pleasures, and to steal away with their eager 
demand for her sympathy or aid, which were never 
denied them, unuttered, because "mamma's in the 
study!" Clergymen and scholars who enjoyed her 
hospitality wondered to find this over-burdened 
housekeeper, surrounded by a group of high-strung 
exacting children, so ready to converse on current 
topics, so familiar with the questions of the day. 
Her mind grasped easily and held tenaciously 
whatever was presented to it, — and her quick com- 
prehension and fine perception made her a real in- 
spiration to those who had intellectual stores at 
command. They soon found themselves bringing 
out their best and finding it better than they had 
known as this gentle woman, with her keen appre- 
ciation and delicate tact drew them on. Her sense 
of humor was unfailing, she was not witty, had 
small liking for jokes, and practical ones she ab- 
horred, but the humorous side of things appealed 
to her and the look of amusement which would 
steal into her eyes was often a great relief to her 
children, as she pointed out to them the enormity 
of some infantile transgression. When everything 
went wrong, and there was no way out of a diffi- 
culty, the ludicrous side of it laid hold of her, and 
while many a nervous woman would have cried, 
she laughed. The secret, however, of her abound- 
ing joyousness, was neither in the tender love 



152 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

which surrounded her in her home, nor in her 
natural buoyancy and versatility. She fed upon 
the word of God. No human presence was so 
real to her as that of the Divine friend and Helper. 
In her work-basket, or held open on a table, 
wherever she was, lay her little text-book. She 
went to it, often and eagerly, as a thirsty man 
seizes a glass of cool water. One of her sons said: 
"We have been brought up on milk, and proverbs." 
It was almost literally true. The simplest, most 
nutritious food for the body, God's word the stand- 
ard and law for the spirit. We must obey her be- 
cause it was His requirement. The solemn repe- 
tition of "Even a child is known by his doings' 
made us feel long before we understood it, that 
our little trivial acts were part of ourselves, the 
mere showing out of that which we were. For 
every crisis and place of decision she had some 
"word of the Lord" and the Psalmist's most ardent 
expressions as to the word, upon which his soul 
feasted, seemed the unexaggeratedstatementof her 
love and delight in that "Law and testimony." 

Everything which perplexed or troubled her she 
carried to the secret place, and often, as she came 
from the little closet, there was a light on her face 
which seemed the very reflection of His upon 
which she had looked. The absolute calm with 
which she held to a purpose once formed, the in- 



THE SCHOOL IN THE COURTHOUSE 153 

flexible determination with which she carried it 
out, were born of the conviction that she had 
"Received it of the Lord." This gave a gentle- 
ness to her firmness, a patience to her deter- 
mination which made each well nigh invincible. 
She could wait, but she could not abandon 
a purpose which she truly believed to be God's 
plan, and so those about her came to share her 
conviction that whatever she thus undertook 
would prosper, and that Mrs. Porter's judgment, 
might be relied upon for their own, as well as for 
her personal decisions. 

In the journals there are periodical references 
to the meetings of the Juvenile Missionary 
society often with the addition of such a sen- 
tence as "The children enjoyed a lunch together;" 
or "The boys and girls had dinner at the 
parsonage." No church in which Mr. P. was 
pastor but observed the monthly concert of prayer 
for missions, and none where Mrs. P. did not 
gather the children to teach them of the need of 
those in the places to which the gospel light had 
not gone, and to show them that their little gifts 
might help to open doors, and have their part in 
bringing the blessed light of life to the needy. 
Before Mr. Porter left Green Bay the little circles 
at De Pere, and Fort Howard to which he had 
preached, had church buildings and pastors of their 



154 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

own, and the Duck Creek Sunday-school had be- 
come a regular service, under the care of a noble 
Christian lawyer, from the Episcopal church. 

The people in these places however, as in other 
communions in Green Bay, itself, still looked to 
those who had been with them so long as counsel- 
lors and helpers in times of difficulty and sorrow. 
Roman Catholics and Protestants, rich and poor, 
learned and ignorant, were among their warm- 
ly attached friends and not a few count it still, 
among the blessings of their lives that in youth 
they knew and loved Mrs. Porter. The Green Bay 
church, although able to pay but a meagre salary 
was not a Home Missionary one, during Mr. Por- 
ters pastorate, but it was the only self-supporting 
one in the region. The town was the port for lake 
steamers from Buffalo and Chicago and, as there 
were no railroads in those days, all traffic from the 
east passed through it. Mr. and Mrs. P. naturally 
received and entertained most of those sent out by 
the A. H. M. S. as they came and went, and knew in- 
timately such households and their needs. So, as 
naturally, home missionary boxes, were received, 
and their contents assorted and repacked in the 
home, and sent here and there as deemed wise. 
At how many such assortings the children assisted 
and what a holiday task they counted it! No 
word of condemnation ever came from the lips of 



THE SCHOOL IN THE COURTHOUSE 155 

the mother, who knew from experience how quickly 
a mildly expressed criticism of hers would grow in- 
to indignant expressions of scorn from the intense 
little people who surrounded her; but there was 
an unmistakable look in her eye, and a smile such 
as none of them ever wished to bring to her lips by 
any action of their own, as she drew out old crino- 
line or battered beaver-hats and said: "Take those 
up to the dark closet and put them in the far 
corner." None of them ever knew where or 
by whom that "far corner" was emptied, but 
it must have been so periodically. There was 
another expression on her face, one of such glad- 
ness and tender exultation, as she found "Just 

the thing for Mrs. , baby," "Such a nice suit 

for Mrs. ." "A beautiful coat for the oldest 

boy at — " and made up the bundle with loving 
hands. More than once I have seen a weary 
home missionary mother sit beside her, shedding 
tears of relief and gratitude as they looked over 
the store set aside for her need, and, even as a 
child, I realized the delicate thoughtfulness which 
hid away the almost insulting gift of cast off finery, 
or clothing too much soiled for a home of refine- 
ment, and brought out only that which made the 
offering seem one of sisterly love from eastern 
friends, and relieved the need without wounding 
the spirit of the recipient. 



156 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

So the years went on until 1858, full of cares 
and duties, and each one knitting closer the ties, 
which bound them to the northern Wisconsin 
home and work. At this time it seemed desirable 
to Mr. Porter both for his own sake and that of 
the church that a change of pastors should be made, 
and he resigned his charge. The family were 
scattered; the eldest son in broken health on a 
sea voyage seeking restoration, other children in 
school at Hadley, where all were sent for the win- 
ter except little Robert, who went with his mother 
to Western New York, among her kindred. Mr. 
Porter accepted a call to a mission church in Chi- 
cago, and there after a few months his wife joined 
him. 



CHAPTER XII 

THE CHICAGO PARISH 1 858- 1 86 1. BEREAVEMENT — 

THE WAR 

During the winter of 1858-59, they boarded near 
the Edward's chapel, which stood on the corner of 
Harrison and Halsted streets. 

It was in the midst of a very needy portion of 
the city, and there was no other Protestant church 
so far to the south or west. A home was found 
and purchased a few blocks farther south on Hal- 
sted street, nearly opposite the now well-known 
Hull House, then recently built, and the residence 
of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Hull, with their son and 
daughter. They were most kindly and thoughtful 
neighbors, ever gratefully remembered by Mrs. Por- 
ter for the tender sympathy and aid in the months 
which followed. In March 1859 the scattered 
family gathered in the new house. Such a glad 
reunion, and such a welcome as the mother gave 
her wanderers! There were to be no more wide 
separations; Beloit with its college was near; the 
sons could spend their vacations at home, the 

eldest, if unable to study, find occupation there 

157 



158 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

while the daughters and younger son could attend 
school in the city. Happy planning for a united 
family life. It was enjoyed for a few brief months, 
from which some summer visits were sub- 
tracted, but in the early autumn disease invaded 
the circle; first the youngest son, and five 
weeks later, the eldest daughter were taken 
away. The little boy's disease was slow, in- 
sidious typhus, so that up to the very last days 
the physicians thought the case not a serious one. 
The mother was early alarmed and saw her child 
slipping from her while no one else recognized 
his danger. She led his thoughts to the probabil- 
ity that he might not recover and rejoiced in the 
simple child faith which seeing Jesus as his Saviour 
knew no fear. One Sabbath morning the change 
came, and there was a day of terrible suffering. 
It was most distressing to look upon and the pa- 
thetic voice again and again pleaded with those 
about him "not to cry." He had no need to plead 
with his mother, she was too intent on ministering 
to every want, on finding some relief for his anguish, 
for tears. From dawn until evening she stood 
beside him ; just as the sun was setting he sprang 
into her arms, in the last struggle for breath. 
She held him high, only his feet touching the bed, 
and as she laid back tenderly the form which had 
been his, knowing that he was gone, she seemed to 



THE CHICAGO PARISH 159 

look beyond to that into which he had entered, and 
exclaimed, "I wish you joy, my darling!" 

Another fortnight and she was watching her 
eldest daughter's contest with the deadly typhus. 
It was in her case, of quite another type, violent 
from the first. Physicians said only Mrs. Porter's 
wonderful nursing kept her alive the last week. 
How could she give her up, just at the dawn of 
her young womanhood, her gifted and lovely Char- 
lotte, returned to her after two years of absence, 
ready to be mother's right hand, and so well fitted 
for the service of Christ in the world? As long as 
there was anything to be done she contended with 
the disease, but after three weeks it was plain 
that the poor body could bear no more, and the 
desolate mother, until now so alert, so resolutely 
hopeful, quieted herself as a wearied child, "Dumb, 
because Thou did'st it." The dear cousins, Mr. and 
Mrs. John C. Williams and their daughter Mrs- 
Blatchford, took the members of the stricken house- 
hold to their homes on the south and north sides 
of the river, while that on Halsted street was fumi- 
gated and renovated. After ten days, those who 
were left returned, and Mrs. Porter found vent for 
her love and sorrow in labors for the suffering and 
wretched, and in the work of the parish. The 
sympathy of family friends and of the few who re- 
mained of the circle whom she had known in Chicago 



ICO ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

in the early days was very dear to her, and in the re- 
newing of such ties, and in association with persons 
of congenial tastes, intellectual and spiritual, she 
found real pleasure and help to bear the loneliness 
of her home. She could less than ever, allow it to 
be a selfish one. There were too many who needed 
her to permit any self-indulgent grief, only those 
who came upon her unawares, when she thought 
herself quite unobserved, knew what bitter tears 
she shed for her own, and by what pleading for 
strength, was won the serene and cheerful spirit 
which pervaded her life. 

Every room in the city house was full but it was 
not as large as the queer rambling, often-added- 
to Green Bay cottage, and more crowded, with 
two nephews and a niece in the family, beside her 
own household, than that had been. This home 
which had been made ready with such loving care 
for her children, is associated most closely with 
renunciation. Much of parish work was done 
there, there was not a little of sweet and whole- 
some family life; to it the sorrowful came for 
comfort, the wayward for counsel. One dear niece 
found here the man of her choice, as an elder sister 
had down in the Green Bay home. Here in June 
i860 a large company of friends gathered to cele- 
brate the silver wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Porter 
and here many of the problems of city mission 



THE CHICAGO PARISH 161 

work were considered by those who have become 
acknowledged leaders in its prosecution. But to 
the family it was specially the home of bereavement; 
as parents and children they were never again to 
be together as one household. Happily they did 
not know this, only knew that with the breaking 
out of the civil war theirs was one of many circles 
to be scattered. The war-time greatly changed the 
condition of the city, and it was necessary to re- 
consider the whole question of the support of the 
mission church. The eldest son and two nephews 
from Mrs. Porter's family had enlisted, and when 
the necessity for other than military service for the 
army became manifest, both Mr. and Mrs. P. de- 
sired to enter upon that rather than continue in 
the work of the parish. When the N. W. sanitary 
commission was organized they were invited to 
aid in one of its departments, and there began a 
service which ended only with the close of the war. 
Mr. P's. connection with it was short, as after a 
few months he received a commission as chaplain 
in the First, Ills., Light artillery, of which his 
old friend, afterwards Gen. J. D. Webster was 
colonel. Mrs. Porter remained one of the field 
agents of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission 
until its work was finished, the last lady to leave, 
as she had been the first to enter upon its work. 



CHAPTER XIII 

THE NORTH-WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION — WORK 

IN THE ARMY 

The story of the war time must be culled from 
records made while the facts were fresh in memory 
and while the documents of the North Western 
sanitary commission were available. Mrs. Sarah 
E. Henshaw wrote a very full and interesting nar- 
rative of that organization entitled "Our Branch 
and is Tributaries" which was published in 1868. 
From this and from a paper prepared for the Chi- 
cago Historical society by Mr. Porter in 1880, the 
following pages are gleaned. Mrs. Porter's own 
journals — few in number — and those of her hus- 
band written, during these eventful years, were all 
lost in a trunk which was stolen on its way to the 
north, with the exception of a few pages found 
among the papers of the commission which ap- 
pear in this chapter. 

The first incident from Mr. P's. paper belongs 

to the time of parish work, but is linked with that 

which followed as illustrating Mrs. P's. interest 

in the colored people. Whatever the war meant 

162 



NOR TH- IVES TERN SAN I TAR Y COMMISSION 1 63 

to others, to her it was God's scourge, by which 
the land was chastened for its sin of holding men 
and women in slavery. Its object was to break 
the yoke that the oppressed might go free. 

Mr. P. says: "As we were going to church on a 
communion Sabbath my wife proposed leaving me 
to go to the colored church on east Harrison street. 
Friends of the ex-slaves had arranged that vessels 
and railroad cars should take that day as many as 
would embark for Canada. Reaching the African 
church my wife found the people, as the Israelites 
of old in their exodus from Egypt; the Red Sea 
before them, the mountains on their right and their 
left hand and the Egyptian hosts behind them. As 
Mrs. Porter went praying that that trembling people 
might be taught of God, what to do in such an 
hour of agony, she was comforted by such words 
of wisdom from the colored pastor and his brethren 
as she had hardly heard before. The pastor said: 
'My brethren, I usually come to you on Sunday 
with messages of love, and warning to save your- 
selves through the blood of Christ, from the slavery 
of sin, believing that you had escaped from human 
slavery. But to-day I find we have no country. 
This is no longer the land of the free, the govern- 
ment is powerless to defend its own people, we 
must flee to another land. 

The time may come when we may hope by fire 



164 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

and sword, by guns and bayonets, to defend our- 
selves, and secure the rights that our God and 
Father has given all His children, and at such a 
time he who will not fight for his own and his 
children's liberty is not worthy of that blessed gift. 
To-day we may not tight, but on this God's holy 
day must flee from this sacred house and seek 
freedom in Canada, leaving here all we have, our 
homes, our many white friends who do not know 
to-day whether they have a country. ' 

Mrs. Porter thus saw in what spirit the pastor 
and his children and his Christan brethen met this 
tremendous crisis, one and another expressing 
similar fears hopes and resolves. An escaped slave 
daughter had come from Boston to welcome her 
mother, who had just come from the South to the 
free city of Chicago, hoping to pass her days in 
happiness here, but the long black arm of slavery 
reached up to this young giant city of the West, 
swung its lead-loaded whip, over its wigwam and 
court-house and demanded the return of every- 
fugitive, to bondage, the resort of that African as- 
sembly was to that God who three thousand 
years before had said 'If thou afflict any widow or 
fatherless child, and they cry at all unto me I will 
surely hear their cry, and my wrath shall wax hot, 
and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives 
shall be widows and your children fatherless. ' Be- 



NORTH- WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION 165 

lieving that vengeance belonged to the Lord and 
that He would avenge them speedily that people 
escaped to the shelter of Victoria's throne. You 
will not wonder then, that after Major Anderson 
had been compelled by the demand of that same 
blighting slave power that had said ' Lincoln shall 
never be the president of the United States' to 
yield up the national flag in Charleston harbor, 
that Mrs. Porter when asked if she would let her 
son go into the army to protect the flag and break 
the yoke of oppression said: 'If I had a hundred 
sons and they were prepared to die, I would give 
them all.' 

The Northwestern Sanitary Commission was 
organized in October 1861, under the modest title 
of the Chicago Sanitary commission. By the in- 
vitation of its president Hon. Mark Skinner and 
its treasurer Mr. E. W. Blatchford, Mrs. Porter 
went into its rooms in the city. This story can 
best be told by Mrs. Henshaw. She says: 

"From the close assocation between the supply 
department of the enterprise, and the women of the 
country, upon whom the main support of that de- 
partment must evidently devolve, it was thought 
advisable to secure the constant presence at the 
Sanitary rooms, of a lady of intelligence, character, 
and social position. After much canvassing Mrs. 
Eliza C. Porter, wife of Rev. Jeremiah Porter was 



166 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

induced to assume this position. Lovely, gentle and 
refined, yet courageous, heroic and devoted she 
here commenced a series of self-denying labors for 
the army, that finally took her to the front, where 
she faced privation, sickness and death; and neither 
paused nor rested from her work so long as the 
war, lasted. ... In the spring of 1862 came 
the first battles of the Western army, the wounded 
and sick were sent to hospitals in Cairo, Paducah, 
Mound City, and other points on the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi rivers — and supplies and nurses were dis- 
patched from the North. . . The battle of Pitts- 
burg landing found Mrs. Porter at Cairo, where she 
was distributing stores. Hearing that a boat load 
of wounded was in route for Mound City she hast- 
ened there to assist in its reception. The boat 
arrived in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Porter went 
on board, and passed through scene after scene of 
sorrow. They spent the night in administering 
refreshment to the fainting, stimulants to the sink- 
ing and comfort to the dying. Many a farewell to 
father, mother, sister, wife and friend was given 
to their tender keeping. 

One young man in his last moments, painfully 
drew from his bosom a picture of his betrothed 
and with broken dying accents said to Mrs. Por- 
ter, 'Tell her — I love her! Tell her — I loved 
her to the last!' Then his head dropped back on 



NORTH- WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION 167 

the pillow and he was dead. The survivors were 
placed in Mound City hospital. Having done 
what she could there Mrs. Porter hurried back to 
Cairo, where a telegram from the Commission in- 
formed her that six ladies were on their way 
thither, as nurses for Paducah. These she con- 
ducted to that point and placed in hospitals there 
which were also filled with the wounded from the 
battle of Pittsburg landing. Then she hastened to 
the front. Here, she was on her own suggestion 
empowered by Dr. McDougal to procure for the 
wounded a supply of female nurses. She went 
back to Chicago, obtained the number desired, 
conducted them South and distributed them among 
the hospitals at Savannah, where they labored 
under the supervision of Mrs. Bickerdyke. 

From this time Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke* occupied the position of 'agents in the field' 
for the Chicago branch. Their work lay in the 
hospitals and was of the most exhausting charac- 
ter. They distributed supplies, attended the sick, 
sacrificed their needful sleep, lived in sight of 
wounds, suffering and blood, inhaled often a tainted 
sickening air; were wet and cold and hungry, 
slept on hard beds, dressed in rude clothing, ate 
coarse food, and endured every kind of privation. 
Much of the time labored together. They were 
so admirably harmonized by contrast that in Sani- 



168 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

tary work each seemed the complement of the 
other. Mrs. Porter was gentle. Mrs. Bickerdyke, 
brusque. The mildness of the one was an offset 
to the positiveness of the other, the noiseless effi- 
ciency of the one to the turbulent energy of the 
other. The culture and social position of Mrs. 
Porter gave her ready access to the officers; Mrs. 
Bickerdyke followed her own bent and adaptation, 
in devoting herself to the rank and file. In person 
Mrs. Porter was petite; Mrs. Bickerdyke, the re- 
verse, their very voices acquired during their won- 
derful army life a permanent quality which in 
Mrs. Porter was an accent of pity and sympathy, 
in Mrs. Bickerdyke of protest and cheer. Enthusi- 
astic testimonials were forwarded from different 
points during this campaign respecting the fidelity 
and wisdom in distributing the stores of the com- 
mission, evinced by Mrs. Porter who took great 
pains to make the soldiers understand the source 
from whence came the goods which she dispensed. 

The Soldiers' Home at Cairo established, nurses 
placed in the hospitals and reliable agents in charge 
of Sanitary stores in that region Mrs. Porter went 
down the river to Memphis.^ 

"At Fort Pickering in that city her husband 
was chaplain of a convalescent camp, containing 
fifteen hundred men; and here for ten months her 
care was chiefly bestowed. Here she established 



hlORTH-lVESTERhl SANITARY COMMISSION 169 

a rudimentary form of a diet kitchen, preparing the 
daily food of the feeblest invalids over an open 
grate in her own room, with a few empty cans for 
utensils. This room was one in a 'Secesh' house, 
which stood within the fort and had been appropri- 
ated by government. In it she ate, slept, cooked, 
received visitors, and stored her sanitary supplies. 
After a little while a cooking stove was obtained 
and, under the supervision of Dr. Andrews of Chi- 
cago, then surgeon of the first Illinois Light artil- 
lery, Mr. Porter's regiment, a diet kitchen was 
opened, where under Mrs. Porter's administration, 
was done the cooking for the sick. With what 
skill this idea was adopted by Mrs. Wittenmeyer 
and elaborated in the 'special diet kitchens' of 
the Christian commission, established toward the 
latter part of the war, and how much energy and 
executive ability she exhibited in their manage- 
ment, is well-known throughout the country. It 
may be worthy of mention that Mrs. Wittenmyer 
who was well acquainted with Mrs. Porter and 
her work, wrote to her asking her to take charge 
of what was called the 'great diet kitchen' at 
Nashville. The Christian commission authorized 
the proposition offering to pay expenses and a 
salary. Mrs. P. was then with the army at the 
South, and other labors seeming more imperative, 
she declined the overture During the time she 



170 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

attended the convalescent camp in Memphis, Mrs. 
Porter made several journeys northward to stimu- 
late supplies; this endeavor was particulary suc- 
cessful in that part of Illinois called Egypt. Some 
towns there, supplied her for months with a suffi- 
ciency of chickens, eggs and butter, to provide for 
her worst cases of illness. 

The first school established on the Missis- 
sippi — the practical beginning of Freedman's 
Bureau work — was opened at this time through 
the instrumentality of Mrs. Porter. After the 
' Great Proclamation' the negroes flocked by 
hundreds into Memphis. Mrs. P. visited, almost 
daily their crowded camp and hospital, riding 
from Fort Pickering on a gentle pony set apart for 
her use. As if to shame the prophecies respecting 
their idleness, they worked ten hours a day on the 
fortifications of Fort Pickering, under a burning 
sun, and built themselves, in addition, quite a 
little town. This collection of cabins they named 
"Shiloh." One Sunday, Dr. Andrews, at Mrs. 
Porter's suggestion proposed a school in the new 
settlement. Tractable and anxious to improve, 
the negroes were filled with delight. In the course 
of a week they sent word that the school house 
was ready. Friends at the north were at once ap- 
pealed to and entered heartily into the scheme, 
forwarding supplies and books. From Chicago came 



NOR TH-IVES TERN SANITAR Y COMMISSION 171 

also a teacher, Miss M. Humphrey, who taught 
with much success this first school for colored peo- 
ple ever opened in Tenessee. On the day when 
the school was inaugerated Mrs. Porter, on her 
pony rode down to the new Shiloh. The delight 
of the docile freedman was unbounded. The end of 
all scholarship was to them the reading of the 
Word. ' Grandpa, ' the patriarch of the settlement, 
asked to see Mrs. Porter, and broke out into a 
strain of rejoicing akin to that of the aged Simeon. 
'I'se waited long for dis yer day! I'se prayed dat 
my chil'n might read de bressed Book! I'se old 
now but de promise hab come!' 

After Mrs. Porter had been many months in 
Fort Pickering, one of the ladies from the Chicago 
headquarters of the sanitary commission went 
down on a tour of inspection and visited Memphis 
among other points. She was affected somewhat 
as one might have been whose only knowledge 
of military life was that of the camp in time of 
peace, or of dress parade. It was much as if such 
an one coming upon soldiers in the field had been 
shocked by muddy boots, stained uniforms and tat- 
tered flags. The brief correspondence is interesting. 
Mrs. P with all her gentleness had no lack of per- 
sonal dignity, and the quiet pride with which she 
reminds her friend that, as the Commission have 
not made themselves responsible for her by giving 



172 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

her any compensation for her service they are in 
no way compromised by her shabbiness — is very 
chacteristic. It should be added that she must 
have had, at this time, a comfortable wardrobe, al- 
though not accessible, but later she lost everything 
and came north, at one time in a water-proof dress, 
stained in hospital and on the battle field, because 
all her "reserves" had been stolen during her 
absence at the front. 

But to the letters. 

"Chicago, April 15th, 1863. 

My dear Mrs. Porter: — . 

I said but very little to you when 
I was in Fort Pickering about my distress at see- 
ing you so comfortless in your comparatively deli- 
cate health, but I resolved to talk on my return to 
the rooms of the commission. . . Suffice it to 
say a camp chest is bought for you of good size, 
a large bill of hospital necessaries purchased for 
you, which are being shipped to you to-day, and 
you are henceforth to be recognized as an agent of 
the Sanitary commission with salary. . My ob- 
ject in writing you now is to get you to send me a 
list of such articles of clothing as you need — a 
full, large and ample list — include everything. . . 
The feeling is at last awakened that you are doing 
a great deal of good and must be taken care of. It 
would have been understood earlier, my dear Mrs. 



NORTH-WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION 173 

Porter, if you were not so very modest, quiet 
and unobtrusive. I never realized it until I saw 
you in your humble home at Fort Pickering and 
conversed with some of your convalescent patients 
and learned from Miss Humphrey, Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke and others how you labored, sacrificed and 
toiled. I never saw Mr. — more grieved than 
when I narrated to him your self-denial, patient 
labor, and modest manner of doing a great work 
and we have all resolved that you are to be better 
cared for hereafter. . . Do not delay to send 
me the list of your needs in the way of clothng. If 
you decline I am directed to make the purchases 
at hap-hazard; so you see you had better aid me 
to act intelligently." To this Mrs. Porter replies: 

"My dear Mrs. 

Your letter expressing such deep con- 
cern in my welfare was duly received, and while I 
fully appreciate your kindness and tender my sin- 
cere thanks I cannot suppress a feeling of morti- 
fication that after so many months of unceasing 
toil to carry out the wishes and forward the work 
of our noble commission, it should be necessarry 
for you to 'talk' and make such an effort as you 
speak of to convince them that I really was at 
work. I felt at first quite disposed to recapitulate 
and contrary to all former determinations, for once, 
to make a report ; but I think the old position was 



174 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

taken with the highest aims, and if my works do not 
tell upon the comfort of the soldiers I do not desire 
them to be written. I trust my work may com- 
mend itself, and the approbation of our Father 
who careth for us with the 'blessing of those 
ready to perish' upon our hearts we can but rejoice 
in labor, although self denying and unknown. I 
thank you most kindly for your interest, and hope 
since it seems I have not been regarded as repre- 
senting the commission, that neither you nor they 
will feel disgraced on account of my dilapidated 
condition. Indeed" I have been so entirely ab- 
sorbed in pressing care for those whose claims, 
and wants could not be deferred, that I have not 
realized, I presume, the necessity for improvement 
in that direction. Your proposition is so exten- 
sive and liberal that I hardly know how to meet 
it unless I resign myself wholly to your care, 
which with your present responsibilities would be 
anything but benevolence, and really, after prac- 
tising so much self-denial as you give me credit for, 
I should not like to take a course which should 
lead you to feel that I had expended all of that 
quality which I possess in caring for soldiers, and 
become regardless of others'burdens. No! my dear 
Mrs. — you must accept my most hearty thanks 
for your sisterly anxiety and kind proffer, but I 
could not, without doing violence to my sense of 



NOR TH- IVES TERN SANITAR Y COMMISSION 175 

right, allow you to take such additional care. In- 
deed I think some slight additions to my ward- 
robe will make me quite comfortaole and I will 
try to look more respectable next time you and 
the surgeon general visit me. Pardon my folly 
and accept in behalf of the commission and for 
yourself my love and most earnest desire that you 
may always abound in every good word and work 
and receive the 'Well-done' of good servants who 
have much committed to them." Mrs. Porter's 
evident annoyance, that those who had taken office 
work, which she had relinquished for that in the 
field, should think of themselves as agents of the 
commission and ask that she be made such, is doubt- 
less the "folly" for which she begs pardon. She 
had been doing its work from the very beginning, 
that she had not been takiner anything from its 
treasury for personal use, did not seem to her to 
make her connection with it less real. From this 
time however, she did receive a small salary while 
in its service. 

During the summer of 1863, the convalescent 
camp was very unhealthful. Mrs. Porter was worn 
with labor, and the constant draft upon her sym- 
pathies, and became very much prostrated. One 
of her children, distressed by the accounts which 
reached the North, determined to bring her home 
and, in spite of the assurance that a permit for 



176 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

travel into the military district could not be ob- 
tained, succeeded, in reaching her. It was a beau- 
tiful Sabbath morning when she drove into the 
Fort, and up to the Chaplain's quarters. Her 
mother came out in astonishment to greet her, so 
thin, wan, and shadowy that the first thought was 
"It is too late she will never see the North again." 
But she had a loving welcome and no upbraiding 
for what seemed so wild a journey for a young girl. 
One of the marked impressions was the home 
like aspect of the little house, under the trees the 
daughter said, "Could any one, but you, mother, 
make a room look like this with no furniture but 
dry goods-boxes and camp stools?" Mrs. Porter 
laughed as she answered "Oh! you do injustice 
to my resources. I have beside a good supply of 
army blankets, some of them red, a grate, and cot 
beds behind that curtain. Yes! and a guest room 
too," and she opened the door into a little hall- 
way, where behind another curtain was the place 
for the way-farer. Examined more in detail the 
blanket-covered boxes, were found filled with sani- 
tary stores, and over the grate-fire in tin fruit cans, 
chicken broth, beef-tea, and dried fruit were in 
preparation for "the boys" too weak for service, 
but too strong for the crowded hospitals of Mem- 
phis. 

There for a few weeks the daughter saw the 



NORTH-WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION 177 

army life of her parents, and realized how poor and 
small the physical comforts given were in compari- 
son with the unfailing love, the wise counsel, the 
hopefulness and cheer, which were poured out in 
unwasting abundance. Never more than in this 
time of failing strength did Mrs. P. long to impart 
some "spiritual gift" to every one who came with- 
in her reach. She was the "Daughter of a King". 
She felt her royal lineage, that she was sent there 
to tell of His loving kindness to prepare these who 
stood face to face with death to go before Him with 
joy. I believe it is almost literally true that every 
cup of broth and saucer of fruit, handed out by 
herself, was accompanied by some word of advice, 
caution, or cheer, and many a man had slipped 
into his hand an illuminated text, or tiny book of 
scripture selections. Poor, broken down soldiers 
sat under the trees before her door, or crawled to 
the veranda which surrounded the low cottage, 
waiting their turn for the tender greeting. Almost 
every day, in spite of the June heat she mounted 
her beautiful pony, which whinnied with pleasure 
as she came in sight, and rode to Shiloh for a 
part of the school session. "Aunties' and "un- 
cles", clumsy plantation boys, and chubby babies 
knew both the pretty silver maned sorrel and its 
rider, and stalwart men ran to the roadside, eager 
for the privilege of lifting "Mis' Porter" down, and 



178 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

tying her pony. She gathered the mothers about 
her in the low cabins for prayer and instruction 
in the most rudimentary principles of house-keep- 
ing, praised those who washed the children's 
faces, gave cast off clothing from those unfailing 
northern boxes, to the most needy, and seemed to 
leave a line of light behind her, in better cheer, 
awakened conscience and kindled affection. A 
little scene may illustrate how, when no other 
motive was likely to appeal to the men, she could 
use their regard for herself, to save them from 
evil. One day in a hospital kitchen, the soldiers 
were, with too good reason, bitterly angry with 
one of their officers. Loud talking and disorderly 
conduct were likely to bring swift punishment, but 
no one in authority was near, and the uproar in- 
creased, one rough fellow swore terrible oaths. 

It was more than Mrs. Porter could bear, she 
ran swiftly across the court-yard, laid her soft 
hand on the rugged one of the soldier and said: 
"That's my Father's name John!" The man caught 
his breath; that fragile creature, with her eager 
face upturned, had stood beside his bedside when 
he was coming back to consciousness after a terri- 
ble operation, had helped him bear the first agony 
of knowing himself crippled for life, and now he 
had hurt her! He sobbed, like a child and said 
"I wouldn't a' said it, if I'd known you was there, 
and God help me, I never will again ! 



NORTH- WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION 179 

The daughter had gone to Memphis to take her 
mother north; but the seige of Vicksburg was in 
progress, there was likely to be special need of 
hospital stores, and nurses and Mrs. Porter be- 
lieved that she had strength for that demand. It 
was quite a new experience to both. Absolute 
divergence of judgment and neither ready to 
yield. The daughter did, probably the best thing 
she could have done to gain her point, although 
sorely against her will, succcumbed to the mala- 
rial fever prevalent in the camp, and so evidently 
could neither remain where she was, nor go north 
alone that her mother took passage with her for 
Cairo. From this point Mrs. Henshaw takes up 
the story. "Coming North in the summer of 1863 
Mrs. Porter staid a few weeks at Chicago, taking 
her old place in the Sanitary rooms, during the 
absence of Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Livermore. 
Here for two weeks she supervised the prelimi- 
nary arrangement for the great Sanitary fair. So 
much material was each day mailed that at first 
playfully, and finally in all seriousness it was meas- 
ured in a half-bushel waste basket that was in the 
office. Seventeen bushels of mail matter relating 
to the fair, were, by actual measurement sent out, 
under Mrs. Porter's administration. 

"She had been deeply impressed during her so- 
journ, in the stifling hospitals of the South, with 



180 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

the necessity of northern air for the more speedy 
recovery of convalescent soldiers. This idea had 
indeed been acted upon after the battle of Pitts- 
burg Landing, but the effect had been, so to de- 
plete the army that the plan lost favor. Mrs. 
Porter bent her energies toward its re-adoption. 
Reasoning that what one state did for its soldiers 
would be done by the rest, she addressed, upon 
the subject, Senator Howe of Wisconsin, and his 
excellency, Edward Salomon, its governor; they 
promptly interested themselves in the suggestion. 
"The result was an order from President Lincoln, 
permitting all Wisconsin soldiers pronounced by 
competent authority unfit for duty, to be removed 
for a specified time to northern hospitals. The 
poor fellows rejoiced with joy unspeakable. 

Mrs. Porter, who deeply realized the weariness 
and home sickness of the hospitals, rejoiced for 
their sakes and also, because a precedent had thus 
been established. Mrs. Harvey, wife of that 
lamented governor of Wisconsin whose tragical 
death had added deeper gloom to the scenes at 
Pittsburg Landing went to Washington, to obtain 
the order and to the South to see it faithfully 
executed. ... 

"From Chicago where Mrs. Porter had, as stated, 
taken temporary charge of the Sanitary rooms, she 
returned to Vicksburg, with stores for the fifteenth 



NORTH- WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION 181 

army corps. Finding en route that this corps had 
been ordered to Chattanooga, she followed and 
overtook it at Corinth. The stores she distributed 
came like a godsend to the troops setting out on 
one of the severest expeditions of the war. To 
reach Chattanooga from Corinth they traversed 
the whole of Northern Alabama. It was late in 
the autumn; the roads were frozen and stony; 
marching in haste their shoes gave out, they sub- 
stituted bandages and continued their journey with 
bare and bleeding feet. Their clothes grew thread- 
bare but they did not slacken their haste. Their 
commissariat was none of the amplest, and the 
weary distance was accomplished upon reduced 
rations. In this condition they reached Chatta- 
nooga and hastened into the fight. 

Mrs. Porter wrote to her husband from Corinth 
October nth, 1863. . . "I little expected when 
I left Chicago last Monday morning to be in Cor- 
inth, to-night. But whatever the result of my stay 
from my husband (Mr. P. was at Vicksburg, for 
which point she had started) I must feel that God 
has directed my steps. I left Memphis this Sab- 
bath morning. Nothing but a clear sense of duty 
could have induced me to start on the holy day. 
God has preserved me kindly but they say my dear 
son and his company have not arrived and com- 
pany A. has left. Sherman and his staff are ex- 



182 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

pected this evening. I am now in the Sanitary 
rooms. . . There is great commotion in town 
to-night as two brigades are ordered out a few 
miles below, to meet the rebels who are annoying 
our troops and disturbing the railroad. 

"Monday morning, October 12th. There are 
several unpleasant rumors this morning but 
nothing reliable. Colonel Hoge thinks Battery 
B. has not arrived. My impression is that 
it has gone to Chattanooga and I shall not 
see the boys (her son and nephew) unless I go 
there. . . October 15th. I waited Monday 
watching for the coming of our dear boys; on that 
afternoon, Dr. Warriner arrived and soon after in 
the mud and rain, it was announced that the Illi- 
nois batteries were at hand. I went out to catch 
a glimpse of them, and saw several familiar faces, 
first among them our own dear James. A smile 
of recognition, a bow and a glance was all he could 
give me. Harmon (the nephew) dismounted, to 
provide the men with bread, and was at the door for 
a moment. He told me that James had been con- 
tending with ague all day in the mud and rain. 
They moved slowly forward out two miles or more 
and I retired to wait for the morning, but my boy in 
chills in a new and wet encampment with the rain 
and high wind of the night prevented much sleep. 

"In the morning Col. H. sent an ambulance to 



NORTH-lVESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION 183 

take me to the camp, over a bad road but a pleas- 
ant location when reached. I found Capt. Rum- 
sey's tent and learned that James had left on foot 
for town a short time before. I drove back and 
found the dear boy on a cot in a deep perspiration, 
reaction from a chill, which took hold of him on 
his arrival. Dr. W. ministered to him, and he 
soon recovered from it. Harmon came in and 
others of the battery this morning. James felt pretty 
well but about noon a chill came on, and now the 
deep perspiration; he is waiting for an ambulance 
as he must return to camp." 

If the soldier son was "under orders" no less did 
the mother count herself to have given up the per- 
sonal and family claim for the needs of the many 
whose wants could be so inadequately met by her 
utmost diligence. She could not delay, even to be 
near her suffering son. Mrs. H's. story continues: 
"When the troops to which at Cornith she distri- 
buted her goods, passed on to Chattanooga Mrs. 
Porter went back to Vicksburg and joined Mrs. 
Bickerdyke. Together they distributed the com- 
mission's goods in hospitals in that vicinity, and 
then by request of Gen. Sherman, started to join 
the forces at Chattanooga. Their route took them 
through Cairo. Here Mrs. Porter, always ready 
for a fresh call of duty, remained for a month in 
charge of the Soldier's home, while Miss Ostrom, 



184 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

its matron, sought rest and change as preventives 
of impending sickness." 

From Cairo, Mrs. Porter made a hasty trip into 
central Illinois to see Gov. Yates and other influ- 
ential persons and urge upon them the scheme so 
near to her heart, Northern hospitals for convales- 
cent soldiers. After an absence of a month she 
rejoined Mrs. Bickerdyke who, Mrs. Henshaw says, 
"Wept for joy at the sight of her gentle colleague, 
and together they commenced a new chapter of 
labor toils and sacrifices." A letter written by 
Mrs. Bickerdyke years later at the time of Mrs. 
P's. golden-wedding, gives a glimpse of those days 
from her standpoint. ..... 

"My dear Mrs. Porter who came to me in Cairo, 
when the clouds hung so black, it seems I can hear 
her cheery words to-day. At Savannah again, 
she came with her aids, like an angel of mercy. 
At Memphis, also with her words of hope. At 
Ringgold, Georgia, I see my little brown bird step- 
ping out of the car. Never was there burden lifted 
from woman's shoulder as that sight lifted the 
burden from mine. I feel it even to-day, after 
these years. We both went with our supplies to 
the bloody battle of Resaca arriving there at sun- 
rise. As Maj. Woodruff, expressed it when he 
lifted my little brown bird from the ambulance, 
'Never before was woman so welcome.' 



NORTH-WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION 185 

"I shall never forget how my dear Mrs. Porter 
with a bucket of water and her own handkerchief 
washed the face of a poor bleeding soldier who had 
just received a terrible shell-wound. All da)' long 
did that frail woman with her little hands staunch 
and wash the blood from those poor wounded sol- 
diers, whose name was legion, not knowing whether 
her own son was among the number. I can never 
forget the terrible scene, when the smoke was 
black as night and the earth vibrated beneath us as 
if an earthquake was actually shaking the land, 
when her son darted in like a deer exclaiming 
'Mother, I'm all right!' — and as quickly and un- 
ceremoniously disappeared amid those midnight 
clouds of battle. 

Your ever loving and far-away friend 

Mary A. Bickerdyke. 

San Francisco June 19th, 1885." 

Many a soldier lovingly remembers the brown 
suit, which harmonized so well with the soft hair, 
the bright eyes, and the peculiarly quick and noise- 
less motions which suggested Mrs. Bickerdyke 's 
pet name. One day when vexed at some especially 
stupid misapprehension of a direction of her own, 
which Mrs. Porter quietly adjusted, making peace 
between the belligerents, Mrs. B. turned sharply 
upon her with "You mite of a woman! how is it 
that you make everybody mind you, and every- 



186 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

body love you?" Then seeing the pale face and 
look of weariness, for standing between angry 
parties exhausted even Mrs. Porter's nervous vital- 
ity, she added penitently — "I'll never scold any one 
again as long I live, when you are around; if 

you'll go to bed now " 

So all through those weeks this strong great- 
hearted woman, on the one hand leaned upon, and 
on the other cared for and guarded her equally res- 
olute but frailer companion. Happily we have the 
story of their work together during that campaign 
from Mrs. Porter's own pen. A journal published 
in the Sanitary Commission bulletin in New York. 



CHAPTER XIV 

REPORTS MADE TO SANITARY COMMISSION 

"Chattanooga, Jan. 24th, 1864. 

"To the Sanitary Rooms, Chicago: 

"I arrived at this place on New Years' 
eve, making the trip from Bridgeport of a few 
miles in twenty-four hours. New Years' morning 
was very cold. I went immediately to the Field 
hospital where I found Mrs. Bickerdyke hard at 
work as usual endeavoring to comfort the cold, suf- 
fering, sick and wounded soldiers. The work done 
on that day told wonderfully on their comfort. The 
wind came sweeping around Lookout Mountain 
and uniting with currents from the valleys of Mis- 
sion Ridge poured in upon the hospital tents, 
overturning some and making the inmates of all 
tremble with cold and anxious fear. A great rain 
had preceded adding much to the general discom- 
fort. 

"Mrs. Bickerdyke went from tent to tent in the 

gale carrying hot bricks and hot drinks to cheer 

and warm the poor fellows. 'She is a power of 

good, ' said one. 'We fared mighty poor till she 

187 



188 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

came here,' said another. They fully appreciated 
'Mother Bickerdyke, ' as the soldiers call her. 
The Field hospital of the 15th Army corps was 
situated on the north bank of the Tennessee river 
on a slope at the base of Mission ridge, where after 
the terrible struggle was over 1,700 of our wound- 
ed and exhausted soldiers were brought. Mrs. B. 
reached there before the din and smoke of battle 
were over and before all were brought from the 
field of blood and there she remained the only 
female attendant for four weeks. Never has she 
rendered more valuable service. Dr. Newberry 
had arrived at Chicago with sanitary stores which 
Mrs. B. had the pleasure of using, as she says, 
'just when arid where needed. ' And never were 
such goods more deeply felt to be good goods. 
'What could we do without them?' I often hear 
asked and answered with a hearty 'God bless the 
Sanitary commission. ' Its great usefulness is now 
everywhere acknowledged. 

"The Field hospital was in a forest, five miles 
from Chattanooga. Wood was abundant and the 
camp was warmed by immense burning 'log-heaps, ' 
which were the only fire-places, or cooking stoves 
of the camp or hospitals. Men were detailed to fell 
the trees and pile the logs to meet the wintry air. 
Beside these fires, Mrs. B. made soup and toast 
tea and coffee, and without gridiron broiled mut- 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 189 

ton, often blistering her fingers in the process. A 
house in due time was demolished for boards to 
make bunks for the worst cases. The brick of the 
chimney was converted into an oven, in which 
Mrs. B. baked bread for these patient sufferers. 
She had found yeast in the Chicago boxes, and 
flour at a neighboring mill which had furnished 
flour to the secessionists until now. Great multi- 
tudes were fed from these rude kitchens. Com- 
panies of hungry soldiers were refreshed before 
these open fires; and from these ovens. On one 
occasion a citizen came and told the men to 
follow him and he would show them 'a reserve' 
of beef and sheep that had been provided for 
Gen. Bragg's army. The prize was about thirty 
head of cattle and twenty sheep. Large potash 
kettles were found which were used over the huge 
log fires; and various kitchen utensils for cooking 
were brought into camp from time to time, almost 
every day adding to our conveniences. After four 
weeks of toil and labor all the soldiers that were 
able to leave were furloughed home and the rest 
brought to a large hospital nearer town, where I 
am now writing. 

"About nine hundred men are now here, most of 
them convalescents, waiting anxiously to have the 
men and mules supplied with food, so that they 
may have the benefit of cars promised to take 



190 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

them homeward. Hence there w^s great joy in 
the encampment last week, at the arrival of the 
first train of cars from Bridgeport. 

"You at home can have little appreciation of the 
feelings of the men as the sound greeted their ears. 
Our poor soldiers had been reduced to half and 
quarter rations for weeks, and those of the poor- 
est kind. The mules had fallen by the wayside 
from very starvation — and this state of things had 
to continue until the railroad was finished to Chat- 
tanooga, and the cars could bring in sustenance 
for man and beast. You will not wonder then at 
the hurrahs of men in the hospitals and camps as 
the whistle of the long looked for train was heard. 

"The most harrowing scenes are daily witnessed 
here. A wife came on yesterday only to learn that 
her husband had died the morning before. Her 
lamentations were heart breaking. 'Why could 
he not have lived until I came?' Why? In the 
evening a sister came whose aged parents had sent 
her to search for their only son. She also came 
too late. The brother had gone to the soldier's 
grave two days previous." 

"Near the Battle Ground, Sugar Creek, Ga. 

"Gen. Logan's Headquarters, May 15th, 1864. 

"I have just reached this place, where I hear the 
constant roar which tells of battle and of death. 
The battle has just commenced, and several wound- 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 191 

ed have been brought in who are to be sent north. 
Our batteries are engaged. The poor privates 
who are wounded cannot leave at once. 

"Mrs. Bickerdyke left on the ioth for Chatta- 
nooga. I followed on Wednesday, in company 
with Rev. Drs. Budington and Thompson, N. Y., 
agents of the Christian's commission, sent here on 
a tour of observation. We reached Chattanooga 
yesterday morning. I found Mrs. Bickerdyke had 
gone on to Ringgold, and so I took the noon train 
and came down to Ringgold, where I found Mrs. 
Bickerdyke in the Sanitary rooms, preparing sup- 
plies to take forward in teams that were going in 
the morning. We slept in a soldier's tent that 
night and were in readiness to start in the morning. 
Mrs. Bickerdyke had sent forward the evening be- 
fore such Sanitary stores as could be taken with 
the teams. 

"I wish I could give you a description of our train 
— a long solemn train of mule teams: most of 
them looking as if dragging heavily, and many 
making a mighty effort to take their last load to 
the scene of strife. Can you imagine such a train 
reaching all the way from Ringgold to Sugar Creek, 
a distance of twenty-five miles? Such a train has 
almost literally rilled the way with supplies to our 
army to-day. The supplies are to go by railroad 
soon, and the mules which are falling on the right 



192 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

hand and on the left, from over-work, poor fare 
and exhaustion, will be relieved. 

"We reached Sugar Creek about 6 o'clock, and 
were most kindly received at Gen Logan's head- 
quarters, where I am now writing, by Gen. Smith and 
others of his staff. They informed us that Gen. Lo- 
gan had been on the battlefield since last evening. 
The enemy's guns are loud and rapid now, and al- 
though I do not think we can go to the battlefield 
to-night, it will be difficult to stay away from it 
while this roar of artillery continues, knowing that 
many fellows are needing our care and attention. 

"Col. Smith has assured Mrs. Bickerdyke that the 
ambulance or anything else which he can furnish, 
shall be supplied to aid her in her work. Mrs. 
Bickerdyke was very desirous of going to the hos- 
pital in the field, immediately to-night, but it was 
not best. It is five miles distant, and she needs 
rest." 

"Monday, May 17. 

"Never have I passed such a Sabbath as yester- 
day, and I wish I could believe there never would 
be such another. We arose very early, after hear- 
ing the artillery all night as the fight went on, ter- 
rible in its echo, and terrible not only to our ene- 
mies, but to many of our noble brothers, who have 
suddenly fallen, or are left mutilated to languish 
in extempore hospitals at the front. 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 193 

"Gen. Logan's headquarters, where we passed 
the night, are about four miles from the battle- 
field. The wounded were brought into hospitals, 
quickly and roughly prepared in the forest, as near 
the field as safety would permit. Upon arriving at 
the place for the First Division hospital, we were 
met by the familiar face of Dr. Woodworth of 
Chicago, whom we knew would do all in his power 
to relieve the suffering. What a scene was pre- 
sented! Precious sons of northern mothers, beloved 
husbands of northern wives were already here to 
undergo amputation, to have wounds probed and 
dressed, or broken limbs set and bandaged. Some 
were writhing under the surgeon's knife, but bore 
their suffering bravely and uncomplainingly. There 
were many whose wounds were considered slight, 
such as shot through hand, arm or leg, which but 
for the contrast with severer cases, would seem 
dreadful. Never was the presence of women more 
joyfully welcomed. It was touching to see those 
precious boys, looking up into our faces with such 
hope and gladness. It brought to their minds 
mother and home, as each testified while his wounds 
were being dressed: 'This seems a little like 
mother about, ' was the reiterated expression of 
the wounded, as one after another was washed and 
had his wounds dressed. Mrs. Bickerdyke, and 
myself assisted in the operation. Poor boys; how 
my heart ached that I could do so little. 



194 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"After doing what we could in Hospital No. I, 
to render the condition of the poor fellows toler- 
able, we proceeded too No. 2, and did what we 
could there, distributing our sanitary comforts in 
the most economical manner, so as to make them 
go as far as possible. We found that what we 
brought in the ambulance was giving untold com- 
fort to our poor exhausted wounded men, whose 
rough hospital couches were made by pine boughs 
with the stems cut out, spread upon the ground, 
over which their blankets were thrown. This 
forms the bed, and the poor fellows' blouses, satur- 
ated with their own blood, are their only pillows, 
their knapsacks being left behind when they went 
into battle. More sanitary goods are on the way, 
and will be brought to relieve the men as soon as 
possible. 

"Now all the supplies of this immense army are 
brought from Ringgold by teams, and food for the 
army must be forwarded first. I have seen no bread 
for several days but army hardtack. The boys 
think it good, and so it is to the hungry men, 
when cooked in soups and panada. 

"We found in the Third and Fourth hospitals 
much the same condition of things; all doing what 
they could to perfect the hospital arrangements 
and extemporizing kitchen tents and beds by the 
hundred, all made as I have described. 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 195 

"The young surgeons are most of them doing 
themselves great credit by their attention to the 
suffering. I have seen as yet but few except young 
men in the hospitals. There are some venerable 
workers, who should have the grateful thanks of 
the nation for their devotion to the suffering. 

"This evening we were cheered by the arrival of 
the sanitary goods, which were loaded at Ring- 
gold, under Mrs. Bickerdyke's direction. They 
are the only sanitary goods here, expect the deli- 
cacies brought by us in the ambulance, which was 
sent us direct from Chicago. From them every 
wounded man had not only a cooling draught 
of lemonade, but many other comforts which 
seemed to be just what was needed, and which 
have called forth repeated blessings upon the Sani- 
tary Commission. Last night there was sharp 
righting again, if the constant roar of heavy artil- 
lery tells truly. Our tent was spread near the 
wounded and the dying, and was rilled with bar- 
rels of lemons, pickles and various other articles 
of comfort. Our bed was composed of dry leaves, 
spread with a rubber and soldier's blanket — our 
own blankets, with pillows and all, having been 
given out to sufferers long before night. Our 
tent is located about two miles from seat of action, 
and every discharge is distinctly heard. This morn- 
ing report says the enemy are going toward Atlanta. 



196 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"Several wounded men have died during the 
night. Mrs. Bickerdyke and myself are going out 
to look after another division of wounded men. 
Mr. Tome, of the Sanitary commission, has just 
arrived, to make some arrangements for getting 
forward the supplies which are now so much need- 
ed, and will be demanded yet more in a day or 
two." 

"May 19th. 

"I wrote the above two days since, and have had 
no more time to write until now. But since then 
I have passed through thrilling scenes, and have 
witnessed many deaths, which have left fond wives 
in widowhood and made many children fatherless, 
who had looked forward to July with fond hopes. 
'Then father's time in the army will be out, and 
we will be so glad. ' 

"Yesterday there was a sanitary agent here, Mr. 
Tome, and we received from him a few articles such 
as crackers, canned milk, bandages, and a few bottles 
of raspberry vinegar, all so very acceptable to our 
suffering patients, four of whom have passed be- 
yond our care, and already lie in the newly opened 
burying place. Yesterday, Mr. Smith of the Chris- 
tian Commission at Nashville was here, and Mr. 
Lawrence from Chattanooga. With his usual 
carefulness for the comfort of others, he left with 
us his rubber and woolen blankets, which, as we 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 19? 

put our last piece of bedding under the wounded 
men, were gratefully received. He has gone for 
more supplies. When he returns, we hope the 
wants of our boys will be met. 

"You cannot imagine the condition of our wound- 
ed men who have had no change of clothing. 
Think of a wounded man lying in a shirt saturated 
with blood, and wearing it until it becomes dry and 
hard, his blanket in the same condition, and he 
lying on the ground without pillow, except his 
knapsack. We brought several pillows, and when I 
put one of them under the head of a great sufferer, 
he said, 'Oh, that is so soft.' As I passed along, 
yesterday, one of the boys looked up imploringly, 
and said, 'Oh, my bed is hard.' I had just taken 
a pillow from the bed of a man just dead and laid 
it out to dry, I asked, 'Shall I bring that?' 'Yes,' 
he said, and when I brought it, stained with his 
comrade's blood, and laid his weary aching head 
upon it, he replied, 'Oh, that is such a relief!' 
"We know there are sanitary stores in abundance, 
and that they are on the way, and we also realize 
the difficulty of getting anything to us, in our remote 
locality, so far from the railroad, where everything 
must be brought by teams. We are hourly expect- 
ing sanitary goods, which will furnish the boys 
with comforts that mothers, wives and sisters have 
prepared. 



198 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

"Mrs. Bickerdyke has succeeded in bringing about 
a little more order to-day in feeding these three 
hundred men. The painful work has commenced of 
removing these men to Resaca, about three miles 
from the place where they were first received. This 
arrangement is deemed best, as it brings them at 
once upon the railroad, where they can be sent 
North at some time, and I am told that most are 
to be sent North as soon as practicable. No one 
who has not seen the immediate effects of a battle 
can have any idea of its horrors. I am daily grate- 
ful to God for having raised up and strengthened 
for the work of comforting the wounded 'Mother 
Bickerdyke, ' as the soldiers truly call her. She 
has followed them with a mother's self-sacrificing 
devotion, and the high patriotism and benevolence 
which exist in her nature. She never fails in the 
time of the soldier's necessity, no matter what that 
necessity may be. Like a true mother she is ready 
for it. She is ready to contend for his right, as 
many in authority have been made to feel, and 
she is sustained in labors which seem supernatural. 
I hope mothers, wives and sisters will appreciate 
her service, and give to her dear fatherless boys 
aid when needed, as she has rendered it to theirs. 
"To-day every kettle which could be raised has 
been used in making coffee. Mrs. Bickerdyke has 
made barrel after barrel, and it is a comfort to 



JOURNAL OF ARMY IVORK 199 

know that multitudes are reached and cheered, 
and saved. Two hundred and sixty slightly woun- 
ded men just came to this point on the cars on 
their way North, all hungry and weary, saying, 
'We are so thirsty!' 'Do give us something to 
eat!' Mrs. Bickerdyke was engaged in giving out 
supper to the three hundred in wards here, and 
told them she could not feed them then. They 
turned away in sorrow and were leaving, when 
learning who they were — wounded men of the 20th 
Army corps — and their necessity, she told them 
to wait a few minutes, she would attend to them. 
She gave them coffee, kraut, and potato pickles, 
which are never eaten but by famished men, and 
for once they were a luxury. I stood in the room 
where our supplies were deposited, giving to some 
crackers, to some pickles, and to each hungry man 
something. 

"One of the green cards that come on all the 
stores of the Northwestern commission Mrs. Bick- 
erdyke had tacked upon the wall, and this told the 
inquirers from what branch of the commission the 
supplies were obtained. They were mostly from 
New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and most 
grateful recipients were they of the generosity of 
the Northwest. 

"You can imagine the effort made to supply two 
barrels of coffee, with only three camp kettles, 



200 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

two iron boilers, holding two pailfuls, one small 
iron tea-kettle, and one saucepan to make it in. 
These all placed over a dry rail fire, were boiled in 
double quick time, and were filled and refilled till 
all had a portion. Chicago canned milk never gave 
more comfort than on this occasion, I assure you. 
Our cooking conveniences are much the same as 
at Missionary Ridge, but there is to be a change 
soon. The Medical Director informs me that this 
is to be a recovering hospital, and a cooking appa- 
ratus will soon be provided." 

"Field Hospital, Resaca, Ga., May 20th. 

"All convalescents are this morning ordered from 
this hospital. Mrs. B. and myself feel that we 
must leave these now comparatively provided for, 
and hasten to the front, to those who are in the 
condition in which we found these. Many of the 
wounded are doing well. All who will recover 
are improving. Yesterday we received from the 
government, tents, cots, and other comforts for the 
relief of our wounded, who have been lying on the 
ground, though bunks have been prepared for 
many. 

"Mrs. Bickerdyke is among the wounded, and is 
doing good as she has opportunity. Last night 
as I slept in my tent surrounded by the wounded I 
was wakened by dreadful cries and groans as if of 
one in distress. It continued seeming like the 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 201 

death agonies of a strong man. My first impulse 
was to go to him but that I could not do. At 
length the groans ceased, and when I inquired of 
our surgeon, from whose tent they proceeded, he 
said it was a wounded rebel prisoner, who died in 
the night. The rebel wounded bear their suffer- 
ings less bravely than our men." 

"Kingston, Ga. , May 23rd. 
"Yesterday morning we arrived at Kingston, sleep- 
ing in cars, and accompanied by officers, and a 
minister sent by the Christian Commission. The 
cars were filled with sacks of corn upon which we 
rested. We reached here and took breakfast with 
agents of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions. 
There is great hurrying to and fro, for an order has 
been issued for a forward move to-morrow, and 
all are making preparations. Rations for twenty 
days are ordered. Mrs. Bickerdyke took an ambu- 
lance and rode out to Gen. McPherson's head- 
quarters, to learn from him what we should plan to 
do. The General encouraged our going forward, by 
assuring us that transportation should be furnished 
for sanitary goods. On the matter of transporta- 
tion, Col. Smith, or rather the Quartermaster of 
the corps, informed us that the best ambulance and 
driver should be at our command, if we would go 
forward, and that our services were appreciated so 
highly that everything should be done to facilitate 



202 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

and aid us in our work. From other officers we 
received the same assurance. We took out a few 
comforts to the batteries, and found them in re- 
markable health and spirits, considering the strug- 
gle through which they had passed. 

"May 23rd. 

"Sanitary agents have issued several tons of veg- 
etables and other sanitary goods to-day, to the 
different divisions of this great army. Mrs. Bick- 
erdyke has received this morning: a large supply 
for our use 'among the wounded, which are to be 
sent forward to be in readiness for the next con- 
test, which is no doubt near at hand. The In- 
diana agent sent us supplies at Resaca which have 
been reserved for the coming want. Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke was greeted on the street by a soldier on 
horseback; 'Mother,' said he, 'is that you? Don't 
you remember me? I was in the hospital, my arm 
amputated,. and I was saved by your kindness. I 
am so glad to see you, ' giving her a beautiful bo- 
quet of roses, the only token of grateful remem- 
brance he could command. Mrs. B. daily receives 
such greetings from men, who say they have been 
saved from death by her efforts. The blessing of 
many ready to perish is no small reward, and it is 
hers in overflowing measure." 

"May 24th. 

"Last evening two or three hundred exhausted 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 303 

men were sent here faint and weary. Mrs. B. 
and myself tried with what means we had, to meet 
their necessities. Mrs. B. made them coffee, and 
we gave them pickles and other food, which re- 
freshed them greatly. They felt that if they could 
rest and have enough to eat, such as they needed, 
they would soon be able to do duty. This morn- 
ing the surgeon of a hospital called to ask that we 
would go and help him in his work, which we 
promised to do. 

"About an hour ago a great excitement prevailed, 
as it was said the rebels were coming upon us with 
a dash. Such a stampede among the stragglers, 
and so many pale faces I have not before seen. 
We were having our boxes shipped for Resaca. 
Hastened by the fright most of them were shipped, 
but four or five valuable packages remain, and we 
design to get them off as soon as possible, as it is 
thought guerrillas will make another attempt here." 

"Field Hospital, under care of Dr. Wright, May 
25th. 

"Yesterday as the trains were passing about four 
miles from here, they were attacked by our ene- 
mies. Four soldiers who had dismounted were 
killed, first slightly wounded, then evidently knock- 
ed on the head with a gun or club. That was the 
surgeon's testimony, and the most inexperienced 
observer would come to the same conclusion, who 



204 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

looked upon their bruised, broken faces. What 
exhibitions do we daily receive of the chivalry of 
our high-minded southern foes? Could Satan him- 
self give stronger proofs of his love of evil than 
these devoted servants of their master? 

"Last evening, having seen most of our sanitary 
goods on the cars, I left the town, which it was 
thought might be filled with rebels to-day, and 
came to this field-hospital. Mrs. Bickerdyke had 
taken a few articles and gone up in the morning, 
with men and women to clean and put things in 
order to feed and comfort the sad, exhausted and 
wounded soldiers. I found the house filled with 
such already. The beautiful, but filthy premises, 
under her direction had been made comfortably 
clean, and now the floors were covered with soldiers 
resting their weary heads on knapsacks or blouses, 
many of them without blankets even. On the 
march they have thrown everything away, because 
they are so burdened. They often start with very 
heavy burdens, unwilling to give up any of the lit- 
tle comforts they have gathered about them, but 
as the heat increases and the soldiers become 
weary, one thing after another is thrown away, 
until only their knapsacks which contain their ra- 
tions and their cups remain. 

"The failing and faint-hearted are constantly com- 
ing in. They report themselves sick, and a few 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 205 

days of rest and nourishing will restore most of 
them, but some have made their last march, and 
will soon be laid in a soldier's grave; Mrs; B. 
has sent gruel and other food, which I have been 
distributing according to the wants of the pros- 
trate multitude, all on the floor. Some are very 
sick men; it is a pleasure to do something for 
them. They are all dear to some circle, and are 
a noble company. Two hundred are gathered 
here. Sanitary goods are our dependence in tak- 
ing care of them. We have received liberally 
from the Western Commission, and some very valu- 
able articles from the Christian Commission, and 
have made them tell upon the comfort of those 
ready to perish. How often do I hear the remark, 
'What should we have done but for the Sanitary 
commission?' We suffer the greatest inconven- 
ience from the want of cooking utensils. It is very 
hard to provide food for so many hundreds, with- 
out any other convenience than out-door fire, under 
the heat of a summer sun. A tent does not ex- 
clude this heat. Soup kettles and large ranges 
would diminish the labor, and add greatly to our 
ability to be useful. Mrs. Bickerdyke applied to 
Louisville for such aid, knowing by experience the 
hard service which must be required, but they have 
not come, probably on account of difficulty in the 
way of transportation, and she will toil on without 



206 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

them until her strong constitution is undermined, 
I fear. 

"Wednesday. 

"Heavy firing was heard in front yesterday. To- 
day three hundred and twelve men have been- fed 
and comforted here. This morning Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke made mush for two hundred, having gathered 
up in various places kettles, so that by great effort 
out of doors she can cook something. Potatoes, 
received from Iowa, and dried fruit and canned, 
have been distributed among the men. Many of 
them are from Iowa. 'What could we do with- 
out these stores?' is the constant inquiry. 

"May 26th. 

"I have visited the deserted hospitals near us, 
erected after Chattanooga was shelled by our 
troops, as I was informed by a lady who lives near. 
They are of sufficient size to accomodate one thou- 
sand sick and wounded, are built according to 
the directions of their Medical Board, and are al- 
together the best arrangements for a temporary 
hospital which I have seen, nothing wanting for 
convenience or comfort, and the location one of 
the best that could have been chosen. The rebels 
know how to take care of themselves. They were 
hurried out of the hospitals last week, and as they 
evacuated took their sick with them. The place 
we occupy is by no means as convenient, this be- 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 207 

ing a private residence merely. But the plan is to 
send our men North, if they cannot go forward. 
Hundreds have already gone, and multitudes are 
on the way. A company of poor white women 
came to see us this morning who said, • Georgia 
never went out of the union of her own free will, 
but she could not help herself.' They say, 'Our 
children are to be bound out to the planters, and 
we put into the hospitals to do the work, and thus 
be separated from our children; we know they'll 
do it if they can. The ladies say that they will 
have our children for servants if they can't get the 
niggers, and they will. ' 

"May 27th. 

"Andrew Somerville, a faithful soldier, who went 
down to Resaca with our sanitary goods, after 
having put them into Mr. Jones' the agent's hands, 
was overpowered by a band of drunken soldiers, 
who were on a wild robbing expedition. They took 
some things after having knocked him down. A 
guard was called and military power exerted to 
arrest them. A telegram from Rome asking for 
Sanitary goods. I shall go to Resaca for them as 
the wounded are suffering. 

"May 28th. 

"There is heavy firing in the direction of Rome. 
I concluded to telegraph to Resaca and wait until 
to-day. Everything indicates the necessity of 



208 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

comforts for the wounded. There is a sharp fight 
going on to protect a gap in the mountains. 

"May 29th. 

"Last evening, in view of the wants of the wound- 
ed who were reported coming in to be sent for- 
ward, I went to Resaca to get supplies, and re- 
turned this morning. To-day we hear of dreadful 
slaughter and suffering, and we are told that a train 
of ambulances is on its way to this point with the 
wounded. The colonel of the 83rd Ohio regiment 
ran into our room to ask for supplies to go to his 
regiment; Dr. Everett of the 10th Iowa also. We 
shall give them all we can spare. But, if our sup- 
plies were increased four-fold, we could easily use 
them." 

In another letter, dated Kingston, Ga. , June 
1st, Mrs. Porter says: "We have received, fed, and 
comforted at this hospital, during the past week, 
between 4,000 and 5,000 men, and still they come. 
Our sanitary stores are just what we need, and to- 
day we have received a quantity from Resaca, and 
a telegram from Mr. Read, United States Sanitary 
agent at Chattanooga, requesting us to draw upon 
that depot for anything we need, which we shall 
be glad to do. All the food and clothing have 
passed under our supervision, and, indeed, almost 
every garment has been given out by our hands. 
Almost every article of special diet has been cooked 



JOURNAL OF ARMY WORK 209 

by Mrs. Bickerdyke personally, and all has been 
superintended by her. I speak of this particularly, 
as it is a wonderful fulfillment of the promise, "As 
thy days, so shall thy strength be." 

Again, writing from Altoona, Ga., June 14th: 
"I have just visited a tent filled with 'amputated 
cases, ' they are noble young men, the pride and 
hope of loving families of the North, but most of 
them are so low that they will never again return 
to them. Each bad a special request for 'some- 
thing that he could relish.' I made my way 
quickly down from the heights, where the hospital 
tents are pitched, and sought for the food they 
craved. I found it among the goods of the Sani- 
tary commission — and now the dried currants, 
cherries, and other fruits are stewing; we have 
unsoldered cans containing condensed milk and 
preserved fruit — and the poor fellows will not be 
disappointed in their expectations." 



CHAPTER XV 

ARMY WORK. CONTINUED 

A few words in addition from Mrs. Henshaw. 
"Mrs. Bickerdyke took charge of the diet cooking. 
Mrs. Porter, of the distribution of supplies. 
'It is too muddy for you to come to the kitchen to- 
day, ' was often the message of Mrs. Bickerdyke to 
Mrs. Porter, accompanied by her breakfast. The 
habit observed by Mrs. Porter during this time of 
'starvation rations' should here be told — she ate 
of those breakfasts as little as possible, and when 
the first squad of men went by, selecting the palest 
and hungriest looking she slipped the few morsels 
into his hand. Every day from every meal 
she thus saved a part of her own rations 
and gave to the man who looked the feeblest. 
Sometimes the poor fellows, driven by their 
extremity of hunger, crept up stealthily and 
with shamed faces, to search among the refuse of 
that economical kitchen. Then those two women 
always turned their heads and were too busy to 
notice. Mrs. Porter, had another touching habit. 

When, in the hospitals any one under her care was 

210 



ARMY WORK. CONTINUED 211 

approaching death, she placed in his hand a clean 
handkerchief or something similar that she might 
save it to send to his family as his last memento. 
Meeting at the foot of Lookout Mountain on the 
New Year of 1864, they remained together at 
Chattanooga until March when they advanced with 
some of the troops to Huntsville. There they had 
charge of a large hospital ; but finding how press- 
ing was the need of anti scorbutics they addressed 
themselves to the work of camp distribution; com- 
ing north to Nashville they returned with large 
amounts of vegetables which they divided among 
many regiments. The records of the commission 
abound with certificates from different military or- 
ganization of their fidelity and efficiency. Mr. Porter 
was relieved from hospital service at Vicksburg early 
in the year and joined the 15th, Army corps at 
Nashville. He soon after found his wife at Big 
Shanty and during the remainder of the campaign 
was near where Mrs. Bickerdyke, and she were at 
work. Of their experience in this department Mr. 
Porter says: 

"By a very marked providence Mrs. Porter 
and Mrs. Bickerdyke had secured sanitary sup- 
plies for these hospitals before any others had 
reached them. In view of the anticipated 
deadly battles and the difficulty of getting ammu- 
nition to the soldier's beyond the then terminus 



212 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

of the railroad, with the absolutely necessary food 
for men and beasts, Gen. Sherman had left orders 
at Nashville, that no Sanitary stores should be for- 
warded until the army supplies had all been sent, 
and that no nurses or ladies be permitted to follow 
the army at present. Notwithstanding this head- 
quarter's order Mrs. B. determined to go in some 
way, but Mrs. Porter decided to wait for more light 
as to her duty ; she had won her way by most careful 
avoidence of contending against army regulations, 
she would not defy them now. Mrs. B. went to 
the terminus of the railroad and begged the master 
of transportation for one team at least to take to 
the marching army her Sanitary stores. This he 
could not give but he promised to add one of her 
boxes or barrels to each of his loads. The next 
day, in her perplexity, Mrs. Porter examined her 
former pass and found it to read: 

Office Provost Marshal Generals, 

Nashville, Tenn., March, 18th, 1864. 

"Guards, pickets and military authorities generally 
will pass and repass Mrs. Jeremiah Porter, agent 
of the United States Sanitary commission, to and 
from all points of this (Mississippi) military di- 
vision. Military railroads and chartered steamers 
in government employ will at any time furnish her 
free transportation upon application. This pass 



ARMY WORK. CONTINUED 213 

to remain in full force until countermanded at 
these headquarters. 

By order of Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant. 

W. R. Rowley, 
Major and Provost Marshal General. 

"This certainly had not been rescinded! — she 
took it to the railroad office and it was unchalleng- 
ed — on its authority Mrs. P. at once proceeded and 
found Mrs. Bickerdyke with the transportation of 
stores secured as stated above. An ambulance 
had just arrived from the battlefield bringing a 
wounded officer to take the cars for the north. 
This ambulance was placed at the disposal of the 
two ladies. Filling it with delicacies and stimu- 
lants, with a driver who knew them they started 
at once with their precious load. 

"The Fourth of July we spent in Marietta, on 
the 22nd of that month Gen. McPherson was killed. 
On that very day occurred an event of great inter- 
est to our family. It was this — News had come 
to us that Battery B., Chicago Light artillery, had 
been captured while approaching Atlanta, that 
some of its officers had been killed, some were 
prisoners, and that one of the batteries of heavy 
artillery had been taken. Mrs. Porter and Mrs. 
Bickerdyke on hearing this sad news, at once took 
an ambulance and drove to the hospital nearest 
the scene of battle, but on approaching it were 



214 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

warned of the danger of coming near, as the 
enemy were aiming their shells at that point. My 
eldest son and a very dear nephew were in Battery 
B. Hoping to find our own boys still safe the 
ladies had gone to carry comforts to the survivors 
while I remained with the sick at Marietta. They 
left me on Friday and on Sunday not having heard 
a word from the battery I took for my text the 
question of David, twice repeated in II Samuel: 
1 Is the young man Absalom safe?' . . In the 
evening of that day as I was passing among the 
men in our tent hospital, the clerk of the same 
called to me, 'Chaplain, I have word for 
you.' . . It was a long business envelope 
sealed — on the outside of it was written: 'Dear 
Chaplain, James is safe. He thumbed the gun 
after the gunners had fallen wounded by his side 
and it was once more discharged, then stooped to 
do something for the fallen lieutenant. At once he 
heard the cry 'surrender. ■ Lying by the side of his 
dead friend, he chose to appear dead and so was 
declared by those who rushed by him, until our 
troops retook the battery. He had command of 
the same that afternoon, all speak of his bravery. 

Yours, 

J. W. Woodworth. ' 
"This dear friend was the assistant surgeon of the 
regiment. . . Mrs. Porter had earlier learned 



ARMY WORK. CONTINUED 215 

of our son's safety than I had, but she had watched 
through many anxious hours for tidings." 

When Sherman— after the decisive battle of 
Atlanta — began his march to the sea, Mrs. Porter 
came to Chicago with her husband. 

The five confederate officers and twenty-seven 
confederate privates whom she had attended in the 
hospital as wounded prisoners, hearing that she 
was to leave for the North and fearing she might 
meet with annoyance or peril from the Southern 
soldiery, each gave her a letter of commendation 
to their own army asking of it kind and generous 
treatment if, by the casualties of war, she should 
fall into their hands; and expressed in the warm- 
est way their sense of obligation to the friend who 
had done so much to alleviate their distress. Hap- 
pily Mrs. P. had no opportunity to present the 
letters to those to whom they were addressed, but 
a few months later Miss Dix was very glad of them 
to aid in refuting the charge of cruelty in treat- 
ment of prisoners in our hospitals. During the 
few weeks spent at the North, Mrs. P. made visits 
among her friends, did much to get contributions 
for the needs of the soldiers, and in October was 
present with all her family, except the eldest, who 
was with the army, at the marriage of her second 
son in Beloit, Wisconsin. 

About this time murmurs were heard con- 



216 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

cerning the destitution in the hospitals down 
the Mississippi river; the Northern Western 
commission hastened to ship stores in that 
direction and to send an agent on a tour of 
observation extending to Little Rock, Arkansas 
and the intermediate points. Mrs. Porter was 
selected for this service. A letter written on the 
gunboat as she was returning to Cairo, to her 
son, then lieutenant in a battery of colored soldiers 
stationed at Helena, will show how rapidly and 
with how little consideration for personal comfort 
this task was carried through. 

"I cannot tell how much I regretted passing you 
in the night, am almost ready to take a trip back 
to Helena to see you, but I must deny myself and 
take another boat for Cairo. Our Father has kind- 
ly watched over me and carried me safely through 
to Little Rock and Duvall's Bluff, and now I am 
about to leave this gunboat which brought a bri- 
gade up the river which disembarks here. 
Mother's thoughts are much with you. I leave you 
with Him who will never forsake. If you cling to 

Him you are safe. How is dear H ? Give 

much love to him and tell him to watch and pray, 
that he may, with those we love, be brought 
through this terrible war, having preserved his 
manhood and able to sustain and maintain those 
principles for which you suffer the 'Loss of all 



ARMY WORK. CONTINUED 217 

things;" and without which a republican govern- 
ment cannot stand. What cause we have for hope! 
.What time we are afraid we will trust in the Lord 
and stay ourselves on everlasting strength." 
To return to Mrs. Henshaw's narrative: 
"The holidays drew on amid general rejoicings. 
Gen. Sherman had been heard from. His march 
to the sea was a triumph. Savannah lay at his 
feet. Upon the receipt of this news Mr. and Mrs. 
Porter started for the South. On their way to 
Savannah they stopped at Washington and had 
an interview with President Lincoln, urging upon 
him her favorite plan of sending disabled soldiers 
to northern hospitals. He received her most 
cordially and gave earnest attention to her repre- 
sentations. The surgeon-general and various sena- 
tors, among them her former friend Senator Howe, 
were also enlisted, and their joint labors were 
crowned with gratifying success. Mrs. Porter 
while in southern hospitals, had the satisfaction of 
seeing many a pallid face brighten, and many a 
feeble form grew suddenly strong, when it was an- 
nounced that the 'boat had come' and with it an 
order to take them to 'God's country.' Some of 
them never lived to reach their destination but 
they died with their faces toward home, and 'God's 
country' was not perhaps very far off. 

Mrs. Porter's fervor in pressing this cause and her 



218 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

skill in arguing the case, may be estimated from the 
two following letters, copies of those sent at the 
time, found among her manuscripts. 

The first was written before her interview with 
President Lincoln from the field. 

"Field Hospital, 
"Chattanooga, Tenn., Jan., 1863. 

His Excellency, 

Abraham Lincoln. 
Sir: — 

"I come to you as the father of our sorrowing 
land. Do not consider me obtrusive for I come 
in behalf of wives, sisters and mothers, who when 
you asked the people to pray for you, did pray 
that God would give wisdom and grace to our 
President, and preserve him from enemies, who 
sought his life. When you asked for twenty-five 
thousand men, our husbands, sons and brothers 
were not withheld, but were sent forth with many 
prayers and tears. The people have given at your 
call, and sent to battle and to death, their noblest 
and their best, and to-day a voice is heard through 
our land like that of Ramah, weeping for our 
children 'because they are not.' 

"That they have died nobly in the defense of right 
may mitigate their sorrows but cannot alter the sad 
fact. The wail of sorrow goes up as piteously from 
obscure places in our land, as from the bereaved 



ARMY WORK. CONTINUED 219 

king when with stricken heart he forgot his king- 
dom and cried in the fullness of his grief, 'My son! 
my son! would I had died for thee!' 

"But it is not for the dead I plead, but for those 
who still live, and are suffering home and heart 
sickness in Southern hospitals. We ask that as you 
are giving furloughs to all veterans who are able 
and willing to re-enlist from the ranks, you will 
not forget the sick and wounded veterans, but ex- 
tend furloughs to them also. 

"They will be nursed in their homes with tender 
care, and when more men are needed, they will be 
among the first to spring into the ranks; their wives 
and mothers will be among the first to say 'Go, 
and the God of our Fathers go with you. ' President 
Lincoln, do you know that the holding of our sick 
in government hospitals, is doing more in some 
sections of our country to prevent re-enlistment, 
and weaken confidence in our government than all 
other causes combined? If you would make our 
children love the cause for which their fathers have 
sacrificed all, the government must show that such 
sacrifices, and the men who make them are appre- 
ciated. The little child feels, with the older mem- 
bers of the household, the wrong done to his 
father, who after months of exhausting service in a 
malarious region, falls under the pressure and after 
weeks, sometimes months of tossing on a cot in an 



220 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

infected hospital, asks that he may be furloughed and 
go home, if only to die and is refused. His family 
asks, the country asks, 'Why not?' Is it too much 
to grant to a man who has volunteered for this 
service, too much to expect of a government which 
he has given his life to sustain? If by any means 
the hearts of the people are alienated from the 
government it sustains a loss which no legislative 
acts or military power can supply. Let our pres- 
ident insist upon a measure which should return 
to their homes on sick-furlough the inmates of our 
large hospitals who have been there without bene- 
fit for weeks or months, and he will gather around 
himself the affection of this whole nation and the 
blessing of those ready to perish will rest upon him. 

"I know well the objections urged. I will not 
attempt to answer them although I do not deem 
them unanswerable. Is it not safe to give freemen 
their rights? Have they forfeited them by becom- 
ing volunteers? If you send such men to their 
homes, you need no other recruiting office nor 
need you resort to a draft. The filled ranks and 
the ballot-box will testify that there is safety in 
doing right, and God will bless those who 'Do 
good as they have opportunity' and will save an 
afflicted people. 

"May our country's God give wisdom and grace 
for your help in this time of need. 

E. C. Porter." 



ARMY IVORK. CONTINUED 221 

The second is a fragment undated but evidently 
written shortly after the visit at Washington or 
while she was still in waiting there. 

"You will no doubt recollect the promise given a 
few days since, when the case of our sick in hos- 
pitals was brought before you. The interest you 
have at all times manifested in the condition of our 
soldiers leads us to press upon you a few additional 
reasons why, at this time the matter should have 
special attention. First, the fact will not be for- 
gotten, that five thousand sick soldiers were re- 
moved to the North for the purpose of aiding to 
secure the election of our chief magistrate. We 
rejoice in the fact, and rejoice in the result, 
and we believe that the effort, so commendable, 
to give them opportunity to aid in electing the 
president, should be extended in its scope and 
embrace every sick man in every hospital in the 
land who has not speedy prospect of recovery. 
Such should be removed to their homes. 

"It is objected that very low cases cannot bear 
such changes. We ask only what is practicable 
and will promote, not hinder, the progress toward 
health of the patient. Veterans are needed, and we 
find recruits failing at every point. We have the 
testimony of those who have watched the army, that 
if you succeed in raising up our sick or wounded 
veteran he is equal to five new recruits. The sick 



222 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

from Sherman's last campaign, although compara- 
tively few are almost all from those recruits. Let 
the sick veterans be sent therefore on account of 
their value. 

"2nd. Because they detain in every hospital old 
soldiers as nurses and attendants. Regiments 
might to-day be sent from these places to fill 
veteran ranks could the patients who might be 
benefitted by it, be sent to their homes to be nursed 
by wives, mothers and sisters, who could do this 
work better than even a veteran nurse. It is said 
that there is an order for all able-bodied soldiers 
to be relieved from hospital duty and their places 
supplied by convalescents. All who know anything 
of the necessities of sick men, know that thev can- 
not be properly cared for by those who are feeble. 
Let the convalescent statesmen, or convalescent 
surgeon make the trial and report to the War De- 
partment his opinion gained from experience ! Send 
these men home, let them be cared for by loving 
hearts and hands, and our veteran convalescents, 
not worn with hospital service, will soon form an 
other regiment of strong experienced soldiers. 

"3rd. The humanity of the claim. There is but 
one opinion among our surgeons in the field. They 
express astonishment at the course pursued by the 
government, and charge it to want of practical 
knowledge of the working of the system. It has 



ARMY WORK. CONTINUED 223 

been proved that sick and wounded men are in a far 
better condition who have bsen transported in am- 
bulances and kept on the move than those who have 
been left in Southern hospitals, from which every 
Northern man prays to be delivered. Think of the 
thousands crowded into those wards sighing and 
longing for home. Better that they should die in 
making the effort to reach these homes than lan- 
guish in the anguish of desire. Better that their 
families should be comforted by knowing that 
the government did what it could to save them, 
than writhe under the thought that they might 
have been saved. 

"The old slander that our sick, when recovered, 
will not return I shall not attempt to meet. I 
think among the desertions will be found very few 
of those who have been furloughed during the last 
two years. Multitudes, as facts prove, have been in 
such haste to rejoin their regiments that they have 
come too early, before the expiration of sick-leave 
and at sacrifice of health. None of these objec- 
tions prevailed against five thousand men being 
furloughed that their votes might aid in retaining in 
power the man whom we knew would consider their 
claims, and that such men will not, when able, re- 
turn to the ranks I have never heard an insinu- 
ation. If they could safely be removed for a po- 
litical purpose their families and the country ask 
,Why not to save precious life?'" 



224 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

From Washington Mr. and Mrs. Porter went to 
Savannah, Ga. A few lines written on the steam- 
er on her way down the coast to one of her sons 
show the spirit which she carried to the work. 
"Steamer Fulton, Dec. 25th, 1864. 

"I hope this blessed anniversary has found you in 
health and with a heart filled with love and grati- 
tude to that dear Saviour who so loved us in our 
sins, that he was willing not only to live in this 
world as a poor man of sorrows, but also to die for 
His enemies. He so loved as to give Himself a 
ransom and in His dying love could plead for our 
forgiveness. What manner of love! and what 
reason have we to-day to renew our consecration 
of all to Him. 

"Mrs. Porter stayed in the hospitals at Savannah, 
Georgia, until Gen. Sherman had reached Golds- 
boro. To this place she followed going by water 
to Wilmington, and from there on a platform car. 
A torpedo exploded under the train as it moved 
along. The sick that Gen. Sherman was obliged 
to leave in Goldsboro, Mrs. Porter and her hus- 
band accompanied to Newburn, North Carolina, 
making the journey part of the way in a cattle car, 
after having spent the previous night sitting on 
their trunks, because there was no room for them 
in the inn. While Mrs. Porter was laboring at 
Newbern, she visited the hospitals at Beaufort, and 



ARMY WORK. CONTINUED 225 

there met again her old coadjutor Mrs. Bicker- 
dyke. From Newburn and Beaufort, these two 
untiring women passed up to Alexandria following 
in the wake of the victorious army. At Alexandria 
they joined once more the fifteenth Army corps. 
"No work of the commission was ever 
more welcome or better appreciated than that 
which it did around Washington, during the weeks 
that followed upon the surrender of Gen. Lee. 
Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Bickerdyke went each day 
among the camps in immense army-wagons loaded 
with stores and made distributions with their own 
hands. 

"Why did they not leave this for others? Because 
they knew well that their own wise careful doling 
out secured the comfort, sometimes, as in case of 
anti scorbutics, the life, of many men who would 
have failed to receive anything under more lavish 
and less discriminating methods. 

"The hot months of July and August were passed 
by Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Bickerdyke, in the hos- 
pitals of Louisville, Kentucky and in those between 
that point and Huntsville, Alabama. Gen. Logan 
had requested their attention to the troops at 
Louisville. Their work in the vicinity of Wash- 
ington being done, they responded readily to the 
demand, and found much want among the hun- 
dreds of men flocking home through that thorough- 



226 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

fare. Mrs. Porter hastened to Chicago for supplies 
with which she returned laden, and here as at 
Washington did a large work of mercy. An inci- 
dent occurred at Louisville, so characteristic of 
Mrs. Bickerdyke that it ought not to be omitted. 
"Some of the troops were about starting for 
Texas, and word came that, at that distant out- 
post, scurvy was making fearful ravages. Mrs. 
Porter and Mrs. Bickerdyke desired to forward, 
under the care of the men just leaving, a quantity 
of anti-scorbutics. The captain of the boat prom- 
ised that if the articles were on the wharf by a 
certain hour, he would take them. As the boat 
was not to break bulk between Louisville and 
Texas it was a golden opportunity. It was Sunday 
and raining furiously. Through the pelting storm 
Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Bickerdyke went about to 
find teams which should carry the potatoes to the 
boat. With the utmost difficulty wagons were found, 
loaded and the driver urged to go rapidly, which he 
did as well as they could amid the rain and mud. 
When they came within sight of the river he sud- 
denly slackened his pace. 'Why don't you go 
on?' remonstrated Mrs. Porter. 'It's of no use, ' 
he replied. 'The boat has gone. ' With dismay 
Mrs. Porter looked and there, true enough, was 
the steamer rapidly retreating. The hour set had 
not quite passed but the captain felt sure so many 



ARMY WORK. CONTINUED 227 

obstacles could not be overcome, and the boat had 
put off. 4 It shall come back,' said Mrs.Bickerdyke, 
decidedly. The boat was in the stream. In the 
driving rain sat the two resolute women; behind 
them were the potatoes which had cost so much 
labor and exposure. Mrs. Bickerdyke rose to her 
feet and beckoned. The conscious captain stood 
observing. With the air of an empress she beckon- 
ed again. The boat evidently slackened its speed. 
Again she beckoned still more emphatically. The 
boat rounded to, and in response to what had now 
become a volley of signals, actually returned and 
took on the potatoes. The next morning a cartoon 
was posted up in the streets of Louisville, repre- 
senting a woman ordering about a government 
steamer with a wave of her hand. The picture 
was obtained by Mrs. Porter and forwarded to Chi- 
cago to Mr. Blatchford with an account of the 
affair. This incident well illustrates Mrs. Porter's 
modest habit of assigning to her coadjutor the 
credit of the work which they jointly accomplished. 
The smallest allusion to her own wonderful labors, 
the fullest justice to her friend and co-worker, was 
the refined and unselfish rule which guided her 
speech and pen. In August these two untiring 
women visited the hospitals toward the South, as 
far as Huntsville, Ala., then they came North and 
separated, conceiving that their army work was 
done. 



228 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

"But Mrs. Porter had still before her some of 
the most important and onerous of her labors. 
On the 7th of October, the commission held 
a meeting, and voted a large supply of stores to 
be sent under her care, to our soldiers on the 
Mexican frontier. Thither she and her husband 
went as agents of the Sanitary and Christians com- 
missions, their latest agents in the field. 

"The work which Mrs. Porter did in Texas de- 
serves of itself a full and special record. 

"She distributed her supplies, established a Pro- 
testant school amid a Romanist population, taught 
in it herself, won her way to all hearts, and kept 
up the spirits of the soldiers who were homesick 
and despirited at their protracted service. When 
she left, the lamentation in her school was such 
that it was heard in the neighboring streets. She 
returned in June 1866. She was the last, as she 
had been the first, agent in the field of the North- 
western commission, her connection with it having 
extended over the space of four years and a half. 
On their return from Texas, Mr. and Mrs. Porter 
had a formal reception given them at the Sherman 
house, Chicago, in recognition of their labors in field 
and hospital during their long service, in which 
many prominent citizens took part." 



CHAPTER XVI 

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AND BROWNSVILLE 

These years of army service had not been une- 
ventful ones in the family history. The youngest 
son had been one of a company of hundred day 
volunteers and had spent a summer in the heat of 
Memphis. The daughter had been at another 
time in a Christian commission "diet kichen" in 
one of the hospitals of the same city. The mother, 
in the midst of her cares, could but carry new 
burdens of anxiety for her children in such sur- 
roundings in their youth. In nothing did she 
show the reality and quality of her faith more 
clearly, than in her quiet acceptance of what those 
dear to her believed to be God's call to them. 
She had made it the aim of all her training, to im- 
press upon those entrusted to her that God had a 
plan for each which He would make clear to the 
humble and dutiful spirit; that the very law of life 
was this open-hearted unquestioning obedience to 
the "Heavenly vision". To the endeavor of affec- 
tion to restrain her from tasks which seemed too 

heavy, she always answerd, "If it is God's call, I 

229 



230 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

have the promise of His strength." Separated 
from her children, she dared not judge for them 
or lay upon them any other constraint than that 
which the principles she had endeavored so earn- 
estly to instill, imposed. 

So they met with no opposition from her, only 
the oft repeated caution not to mistake self-will 
for heavenly guidance. A heroism which unfalter- 
ingly gives its beloved is rarer and must have 
deeper springs, than that which gives merely itself 
to peril and toil. 

When Mrs. Porter went to Louisville with sani- 
tary stores, her son Edward accompained her to 
take charge of them en route. She had left him a 
few months before in a little home just established, 
now she found it desolate, his young wife suddenly 
stricken down and taken from him. During these 
years of stress and exhausting labor she thus car- 
ried some peculiar burden of anxiety or sympathy 
for each one of the sundered household. After a 
brief stay in Chicago Mrs. Porter went to Green 
Bay, to visit Mrs. Tank and other friends. In the 
early autumn Mr. Porter accepted a call to be- 
come the pastor of the Congregational church in 
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. His wife soon joined 
him there, and they began making arrangements 
for a home. A house was purchased, repairs be- 
gun, and elm trees set out — every home in which 



PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AND BROWNSVILLE 231 

Mr. and Mrs. P. lived together was made a joy to 
those who have followed them by the elms which 
surrounded it. Their daughter came to live with 
them while they were still boarding near the church, 
waiting the completion of necessary changes in the 
house. It was five years since any of them had 
had a home, and the mother's pleasure in the ar- 
rangements which were to make the little brick 
house attractive and convenient was as eager as 
her devotion to the details of her home had always 
been. Her sons were not likely to be in it except 
to come and go, so it must be planned with spec- 
ial reference to the daughter's tastes and wishes. 
Her own thought for her life had gradually shaped 
itself in a very different way and yet — if this might 
be! She dared not decide; her parents certainly 
had first claim. The frail mother worn by unre- 
mitting toil needed her care, what a joy it would 
be to give it; to find in study and parish work 
mental and spiritual culture. Yet it was cruel to 
let the mother build her sweet plans and gentle 
hopes into the home if they were only to be dis- 
appointed. The question was laid before her not as 
a conviction of immediate duty but as that which 
lay in her daughter's mind as an ultimate plan, to 
be postponed or given up if her parents thought she 
should remain with them. A demand for self- 
sacrifice was the bugle-note to Mrs. Porter; she 



232 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

had responded to that with utmost alacrity from 
her youth and now there was not an instant's hesi- 
tation. The answer was as prompt as decisive. 
"I have all my life been praying 'Thy kingdom 
come, ' if God asks for my children to hasten its 
coming in the dark places what can I say except, 
Lord they are Thine, for Thy service when and as 
thou wilt!" 

What it meant to her she herself shall tell in a 
letter written evidently in response to some inquir- 
ies and solicitations from one of the officers of the 
Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior. 

"My dear Friend: — 

As I look over this hastily written sheet, 
and compare it with your request, I know it does 
not meet your expressed desire and perhaps I ought 
to add a few words more explicitly connected 
with my own experience in regard to the dear 
daughter to whom you refer 

"Could I hope by such an addition to aid or 
strengthen mother or daughter in personal sacri- 
fice in that direction I should gladly extol the grace 
and love of God manifested to me and mine in 
this self-denying but blessed work. God never 
calls His people to any service without assurance 
that He will be with them, and Grace sufficient. 
"And first in the duties and self sacrifice of mother- 
hood we hear Him, say 'she shall be saved if she 



PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AND BROWNSVILLE 233 

continue in faith. ' I never had but one desire in 
becoming a mother, and from the time I felt the 
cares and responsibilities that come to the human 
heart when that foundation of love and tenderness 
is opened, my desire for my children was one con- 
tinued prayer that they might be the Lord's and 
perform service for Him. 

"I desired for them the highest good, and God 
had made me know by a long. course of discipline, 
that all permanent good must come in connection 
with faith, love and obedience. 

"How could I then but give my dear ones to Him 
to lead and guide? I lent them to the Lord as 
long as they lived, desiring one thing of Him, that 
he would choose our inheritance for us and let us 
dwell in His house forever. 

"They were trained and educated with the idea of 
preparation for service; not choosing the mission- 
ary field for them, but ever in word and action 
making them feel that it was a prominent part of 
God's work on earth and that God might call me 
and mine into the work. 

"Our little , when very young, in hearing 

Dr. Scudder's account of the poor heathen chil- 
dren, said 'I shall be a missionary; I am going to 
be a teacher, and teach at home first, and I shall 
go among the heathen. ' This was her infant plan. 

"I said, My children are the Lord's, and when- 



234 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

ever He calls them I want them to be prepared 
to go. 

"At the age of ten she, with her older brother, 
now in China also, and their sister, now in the 
heavenly home, united with the church of which 
her father was pastor. 

"Years fled; school duties filled up the years of 
preparation, in which her mind was deeply ab- 
sorbed. 

"The war came. Her parents, after giving them- 
selves to that work in the sanitary rooms, and 
hospitals, were separated from loved ones. Our 
sons were in the midst of the dangers of the field 
and we with them were suffering all the anxieties 
of separation, balancing between hope and fear. 

"God, by that very discipline, was preparing us 
submissively to say when the summons came. Here 
am I and the children which I gave to thee. ' Do 
with us, with them, as shall please thee. 

"And do you think it cost nothing at that point 
of our domestic history which I cannot now trace, 
to give up our child from home? 

"An invitation came for her attendance upon a 
meeting of the American board. In that sepa- 
ration I realized, as I was left alone, something of 
the desolation and agony which must follow her 
final departure. 
"My husband being absent, I had no earthly prop 



PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AND BROWNSVILLE 235 

on which to lean. Our house, once filled with a 
group of loving, cheerful hearts, whose sweet voices 
and pattering feet met us at every point, now 
gone! gone! As we went out, no dear anxious child 
inquired 'How long, mamma?' and when we came 
in, no glad welcome awaited us. 'What a change!' 
I said, 'and this is to be sad reality of all your 
future domestic life; a continued contrast to the 
joy, and toil and care of past days and years. ' In 
my distress I cried unto the Lord 'What does this 
mean? this horror of great darkness? have we mis- 
taken the way? Is this a cross of my own making? 
have I been brought into this wilderness in faith 
and hope, to faint here?' 

"I turned to my Bible, my stronghold in every 
emergency, and opened to this wonderful passage: 

" 'I will not leave you comfortless, I will come 
to you. ' 

"I felt the import of that promise, 'I will come 
to you.' 

"My heart melted into loving trust, and exclaimed 
'If Thou, Lord, wilt indeed come and be our com- 
forter, and fill our hearts and home, I can then 
give up my darling, can trust her, can leave all 
with Thee, in whose fullness there is joy and 
peace.' Promise after promise came to me as a 
new revelation. 'I and my Father will come and 
make our abode with you.' 'If any man open the 



236 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

door I will come in and sup with him.' My heart 
said, 'Come in, dear Lord, and if thou wilt indeed 
abide with me, I cannot be alone.' I heard Him 
say, 'Peace I leave with thee. My peace I give 
unto thee, not as the world giveth. ' The world 
says we are mad, beside ourselves, and asks 'How 
can you think that God approves such a sacrifice 
of your young and only daughter. ' Surely there is 
enough in this land which calls for workers, in ev- 
ery department,' said many who called themselves 
Christians, 'and here such a daughter ought to 
work. ' 

'I came to Jesus as I was, 
Weary and worn and sad, 
I found in Him a resting-place 
And He has made me glad. ' 

"I claimed those great and precious promises. 
They are mine. That week of prayer and faith 
enabled me to say 'Go,' to my darling, and with- 
out tears or apparent sorrow, to strengthen and 
aid her in preparation. 

"Ah! and she, too, must meet it alone. But that 
same Jesus sends a Comforter, and we heed not the 
doubts and fears of loving friends. And there 
were many such, whose opinions we highly valued 
and to forfeit whose confidence cost something. 
But our comforter said 'Fear not the reproaches 
of men. ' In answer to the oft repeated question, 



PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AND BROWNSVILLE 237 

'How could you give up your daughter to such a 
work?' my reply was, 'The Lord who called her 
can alone know what it cost her mother to give 
her up, and He alone could sustain me in it, and 
give peace in believing.' Had I other sons and 
daughters, gladly would I give them to any work 
where God evidently called. He is faithful who 
has promised and will perform all." 

When this decision was made it was thought 
that the actual parting might be far in the future. 
There were a few busy months of "getting to 
housekeeping." The sons, with some of their 
friends visited the new home and in the winter 
holidays, the family were all together, gathered for 
the last time under their own roof-tree. The 
mother was, as always, the center of the circle; 
there was force and flavor in her talk and her 
children, able now, as never before, to appreciate 
both her affection and her intellect, on the one 
hand petted and on the other half adored their 
strong gentle winsome "little mother," who had 
done such extraordinary things and yet kept all 
the old womanliness and quiet appreciative humor. 
She rebelled, half playfully, half in earnest at find- 
ing herself set aside from the kitchen drudgery, 
but yielded in the end with merry grace, sure that 
the obstinacy of her children would bring its own 
retribution, when her skill would be sorely needed. 



238 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

There were many inconveniences and vicissitudes 
in the new place with unreliable help in the cold 
of a northern winter. With what tact and sweet- 
ness she met each perplexity her family well re- 
member and how she enjoyed being once more a 
hostess, at the head of her own table. There was 
marked religious interest in the community during 
that and the following winter and not a few traced 
their conversion immediately to Mrs. Porter's in- 
fluence. In 1867, it was decided that the daughter 
should go abroad as soon as necessary preparations 
could be made. 

In February 1868 Mrs. Porter accompanied her to 
Chicago; when they parted the mother's good-bye 
was characteristic, having in it that sweet im- 
petuosity and marvelous thought for others, 
which led her to do so many beautiful unexpected 
things, on some quick impulse of affection. 
All thought the last word spoken and none 
wondered that the mother's self control was some- 
what shaken, and that her face was hidden when 
the father and daughter left the house. There was 
a moment's delay in adjusting hand luggage after 
they were seated in the carriage; the front door 
opened and out ran Mrs. Porter down the walk to 
the gate, up a slight incline of boards which led to 
the carriage. Her step was elastic as a girl's, her 
cheek flushed and her eyes softly bright. As she 



PRAIRIE DU CH1EN AND BROWNSVILLE 239 

put her face up to the window she said, "You shall 
see your mother last with a smile, you shall not 
remember her in tears!" The smile was there. Its 
radiance glows across the years, and one not unlike 
it may greet her child when they meet again. For 
it was the outshining of that light which is not to 
fade or die, but belongs to the immortal life. 

In the autumn of the same year a call to Mr. 
Porter from the church in Brownsville, Texas, 
opened the way for their return to the South. 
Mrs. Porter was very desirous of carrying on the 
school work there and felt the loneliness of the 
quiet town, where comparatively little was demand- 
ed of her, harder to bear than the severest labor. 
She never again desired to make a home, her tem- 
porary housekeeping, resumed several times, was 
always ordered with the thought of frequent change. 
She was happy in securing the Misses Elizabeth 
and Barbara Grant, then recently graduated from 
Oberlin college, to accompany her as teachers in 
the seminary. They remained until the following 
summer when they returned to the North and 
opened the school for young ladies in Chicago, 
which they carried on for many years, and which 
under their successors is still known as Miss Grant's 
school. 'In the autumn of 1869, Miss Emma 
Dickinson, now Mrs. Arthur H. Smith of North 
China went to Brownsville with Mrs. Porter and 



240 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

taught with other assistants for succeeding months. 
A letter written years later gives very vividly some 
of Mrs. S. ' impressions of that time. A word pic- 
ture of Mrs. P's work for the untrained, untruthful 
Mexican children. 

Mrs. Smith writes from Tientsin, China, in 1881. 
After acknowledging some gift for her baby boy 
she says: "Little H. shall be taught to keep you 
'In the round tower of his heart. ' I hope he may 
see your dear faces some day. I wonder if they 
will be the same faces to me. . . I should 
want my dear little 'foster-mother's' hair just as 
brown as it was the last day I brushed it and her 
eyes as bright, and I should want to sit at the foot 
of somebody's pulpit and hear a regular Browns- 
ville sermon, and will promise not to pout if it 
means me, as those sermons always did. Every 
kind tender, and helpful thing you did for me that 
year is fresh in my memory to-day and will stay 
there while I have any. Do you know, is it not 
odd, that although that dear little mother has 
done so many great and noble things for which 
not only her husband and children, but the whole 
northwest, 'rise up and call her blessed;' she 
always seems to my thought greatest, sweetest, 
saintliest, on her knees, in the little dark closet, 
under the stairs, in the school building at Browns- 
ville, praying Joseph Demara (wasn't it?) honest? 



PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AND BROWNSVILLE 241 

I can see now the look of awe on his face. It 
seems as wonderful to me now as it did that day, 
that despite the fact the boy did not know English 
and could not have understood that prayer, he felt 
it and — proof enough even for this skeptical nine- 
teenth century — an orange could stay in the closet 
all day, untouched afterward !" 

Miss Dickinson remained with them through 
the year, and at its close, in the summer of 1870, 
Mrs. Porter again came North and took back with 
her other teachers and a housekeeper. This time 
instead of boarding, they set up their own establish- 
ment but Mrs. Porter as before, had general charge 
of the school. Through these years Mr. Porter had 
not only done the work of his parish but also 
preached regularly to the soldiers, and been prac- 
tically chaplain of the garrison of Fort Brown. 
Senator Howe and other friends, without his so- 
licitation made application for his appointment 
and in July he received a commission as Post 
Chaplain in the regular army — which he retained 
until he was retired in 1882. 

This change, must in any case have closed Mrs. 
Porter's connection with the school, but it did not 
come until she was quite ready to turn that over 
to other hands. The school fund of Texas is very 
large, ample for the needs of its towns and she no 
longer felt justified in asking funds from the North 



242 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

to sustain a school, which was manifestly never 
to become self-sustaining. Instead of going North 
that summer, Mr. and Mis. Porter removed to 
officers' quarters in Fort Brown and took their va- 
cation in the autumn in a trip of six-hundred miles 
into Mexico, where they visited the mission in 
Monterey and made themselves familiar with the 
needs of that field, in which they had from this 
time peculiar interest. Now began for them both 
work for the regular army in time of peace, a serv- 
ice as different from that among volunteers in time 
of war, as from that of an ordinary parish. 

In March 1872, they came North for visits 
among friends. While Mr. P. went to New England 
his wife accompanied Mrs. Tank on her return to 
her lonely home in Fort Howard. Mrs. Tank had 
just come from Bethlehem, Penn., where she had 
been to lay the remains of her only child beside 
those of her father, in the Moravian cemetery. 
Mary Tank had almost a child's place in Mrs. 
Porter's affection, and it was with a deep sense of 
personal loss that she assisted in arranging all her 
personal effects for distribution. 'In May of this 
year the youngest son, Henry D. Porter, with his 
college associate and friend, Arthur H. Smith, who 
had in the meantime married Miss Dickinson, was 
ordained to the Christian ministry and set apart 
for foreign missionary service at Beloit. There 



PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AND BROWNSVILLE 243 

too, Mrs. Porter met the bride of her son Edward, 
a real daughter whose love was very precious to 
her for the few months that she was spared as a 
member of the family. In June the missionary 
party left Chicago for China. The mother's strug- 
gle in giving up her son, has no record, only in the 
'secret place' where she wrestled and triumphed, 
was any faltering shown — but of her joy in antici- 
pation of the reunion on the other side of the sea 
she loved to speak, for her children were to be in 
the same mission. From this time her interests 
seemed almost as much there as in this land and 
she entered into all her son's labors medical 
and evangelistic, as their details came to her, 
with the most intelligent and appreciative sym- 
pathy. 

During this year a regiment which had a chap- 
lain attached to it, was stationed at Fort Brown, 
and Mr. Porter's services were no longer needed at 
that post. In Feburary he was transferred to Fort 
Sill in Indian Territory. Mrs. Porter remained at 
the North until November, but returned to Texas 
at that time and was ready to go with her hus- 
band to the new field. 

Mr. Porter's skeleton record of family life sent to 
China, at the request of one of his children closes 
during their service there with the words: 

"January ist, 1874, finds us at Fort Sill, Indian 



244 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

Territory, among the Comanche and Kiawa tribes; 
rejoicing in the Lord and all the way He has led 
us these forty years, waiting until our change come. 
Learned of the sudden death of the Rev. Joel 
Grant in Chicago, just as the year expired. A hap- 
py new year to the dear brother in Heaven his 
Home!" 



CHAPTER XVII 

GARRISON LIFE — WORK IN AUSTIN, TEXAS 

From this time Mrs. Porter fitted up their cot- 
tage, in whichever Fort they were stationed with 
the least possible outlay. She always made it 
cosy and attractive but kept in mind the flitting 
sure to come, and was unwilling to burden herself 
with many belongings, or the care of anything but 
the simplest establishment. She taught the chil- 
dren of the garrison in a day school, gathered the 
laundresses for instruction, and made herself the 
special friend of every one in need. Her elasticity 
and strength were, however, much reduced and 
she was never again free from attacks of low ma- 
larial fever which greatly prostrated her. Her 
lungs too were very sensitive and pneumonia 
threatened upon any exposure. Life at the Fort 
she could bear only under favorable conditions. 
Once she was carried on a cot, in an army ambu- 
lance, tenting at night, two days journey to take 
the train for the North when recuperation seemed 
hopeless inthe malarial atmosphere of Indian Ter- 
ritory. Mr. Porter's duties prevented his remain- 

245 



246 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

ing with her and now came the literal fulfillment of 
the promise for "This present time' "An hundred- 
fold of houses and children." All over the north- 
west were those who felt themselves her debtors — 
and she was cared for in beautiful homes where her 
presence was accounted a benediction. 

Those in which she passed months at different 
times were Mr. E. W. Blatchford's, Mr. P. C. Go- 
bies and Judge E. S.Williams, in Chicago — and the 
dear Beloit one in which her sons had all been as 
students, Prof. William Porter's was always open 
to her. In 1873 a new joy was given her, that in 
which God lets His children, in the mellowness of 
age, renew the delight of youth without its care in 
the love of little children, their very own — the first 
grandchild came to the circle. The young mother 
lived but a week, the frail boy, whom it was hardly 
hoped would survive her was baptized above her 
coffin, Edwards Hyndshaw, his father's name with 
the family one of his mother. Judge Williams was 
a cousin of Mr. Porter's and his wife a sister of 
the child's mother. To her care the little one was 
entrusted, and she guarded and watched over him 
with a devotion which had its reward in his laying 
hold on life, and his growth into a most loving and 
winsome, although for years, an exceedingly deli- 
cate child. Naturally from this time the attrac- 
tions of Judge William's home outweighed all others 



GARRISON LIFE 247 

to the grandmother and when she could not endure 
the exposure of the garrison home, she found the 
most reverent affection and tender care in that 
household with which the Porter family was linked 
by so many ties. 

There she spent two winters of enforced sepa- 
ration from her husband. Too much of an invalid 
to venture out in the cold weather, she and the 
fragile boy, who was also shut in for all the frosty 
months, were inseparable companions, and the 
child voiced the sentiment of many another little 
one, when he one day gravely said at table, turn- 
ing to pat her soft cheek, "Grandma is so nice to 
play with." She mended his toys, built forts and 
towns, of his blocks, told beautiful stories and put 
him to sleep with hymns, renewing in his nursery 
all that was sweetest in the earlier years, but now 
at leisure, with no pressing demands which forbade 
her lingering, as in those days there had always 
been. 

Not alone in these homes did Mrs. Porter find 
attention and watch care truly filial. She could 
hardly enter a railroad car, or drive about in a new 
place but she met some one whom she had be- 
friended, and as she had sown so now she reaped, 
affection, thoughtful attention and helpful minis- 
try. Another real joy came in these later years. 
She so loved to give, not service alone but money 



248 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

to the various causes of benevolence. From her 
slender means she had by no means wholly denied 
herself this privilege, but she had never had any 
considerable sum, even from her own modest stand- 
point, under her control. Now her friend, Mrs. 
Tank desired to use her income for some form of 
Christian service and not to be known. She had 
watched Mrs. Porter's wise and economical ad- 
ministration of her own household, knew what a 
training she had had in making the most of a little, 
and trusted her implicitly. It was therefore very 
natural that she should have made her, to no 
small extent, her almoner. Mrs. Porter accepted 
the trust with sincere pleasure and fulfilled it with 
painstaking fidelity. She was a very clear-headed 
business woman, scrupulous as to receipts, and 
attentive to details. The monies entrusted to her 
husband and herself were frequently sent without 
restriction as to where, or how they were to be 
used, although more often with such directions as 
"For Home missions," "For Foreign missions," or 
"For the Freedmen — " on the books of all these 
societies "A Friend by Rev. J. Porter," or "A friend 
by Mrs. Porter," became a frequent entry. Much 
as Mrs. Porter prized the opportunities of sending 
funds through these channels, there were others 
which demanded more thought and care, and had 
in some ways, even greater personal interest. Five 



GARRISON LIFE 249 

dollars to a family in want here, ten to a strug- 
gling church there. Mrs. Porter's wide acquaintance 
and her skill in touching wounds of spirit with the 
touch of healing, instead of pain, opened to her 
many sore cases of need which were hidden from 
most eyes, and an appeal from her seldom failed 
to bring response from that lonely cottage in 
Northern Wisconsin. Mrs. Tank's gifts were not 
large, but they were constant, and in the course 
of the years about twelve thousand dollars passed 
through the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Porter from 
this source. As most of this came in tens, fifties, 
or single hundreds, the correspondence and thought 
involved may be estimated. 

During these years also, Mrs. Porter relieved 
from many responsibilities, was less limited in her 
own resources, and it was the delight of her old 
age to help others who were bearing the burden 
and heat of the day, standing in the hard places 
which she knew by experience so well, and to 
aid in the great work of building up the kingdom 
in all the earth. 

From Fort Sill Mr. Porter was transferred to 
Fort D. A. Russel in Wyoming territory. There 
in 1876 the daughter found them on her return 
from China. Mrs. Porter was very frail, but had 
taken her place in a garrison school-room until the 
cold weather of autumn forbade the exposure. 



250 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

The "Chaplain's quarters" was a picturesque, if 
paintless and slightly-built cottage, and it had the 
air of homelikeness, which soon marked any spot 
in which Mrs. Porter and her trunk were set down. 
Probably there was not another so inexpensively 
furnished house in all the row, but officers and 
civilians as they came in would exclaim "Oh! how 
cozy and pleasant you are here." The policing of 
the garrison — bringing wood and water, shovelling 
snow and carrying off refuse, was done by men 
from the guard house sent under a sergeant's care 
to perform these servile tasks as part of their pun- 
ishment while under arrest. The old negro woman 
and her pretty daughter who had come from De- 
troit with Mrs. Porter to preside in the kitchen 
looked with the greatest contempt on hese "drunk- 
en good-for-nothing fellows." It would certainly 
have been injudicious to ask them to do them serv- 
ice. Contempt for any human being found small 
place in Mrs. Porter's heart. "Poor fellows ruined 
with drink, and they have mothers, perhaps wives 
somewhere;" she would reply. Each week on the 
days when the Chaplain's quarters were in their 
round, she would herself make great cards of gin- 
gerbread, baked in the largest dripping pans the 
kitchen afforded, cut them in squares of six or 
eight inches and lay them on piles of newspapers — 
illustrated ones if possible — near the door, as the 



GARRISON LIFE 251 

men passed she handed one to each with a pleas- 
ant word. The guard stood waiting, there was no 
time for conversation, but an illuminated text was 
usually hidden among the newspapers, and whether 
they found that or not, the men must have gone 
away with hearts a little warmer for the proof that 
some one cared for them in their humiliation. 

So in all ways of lowliest service, Mrs. Porter 
with eyes grown quick to see by loving watching, 
heart kept alive to the wants of others by the 
habit of response, still "went about doing good." 
In ministrations to the needy poor she did not 
forget the not less needy rich. Proud women of 
the world and strong men of affairs, trusted and 
loved her. One almost wondered that she did not 
grow cynical, so many stories of domestic infe- 
licity, or of bitter pain were poured into her ears. 
She never thought or spoke lightly of any thing 
which involved moral wrong, and never lost the 
delicacy of feeling which shrank from word or 
look which bore the shadow of coarseness or im- 
purity. Yet amid the evil, she seemed always to 
find the good that was left, could appeal to the 
honor of a man, who in the view of others had 
none, or to the better instincts of a woman, who 
had stooped to lowest vice, in a way to win re- 
sponse. 

In 1878 Mrs. Porter welcomed the return of 



252 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

her missionary son, and April of 1879 saw the 
family all together for the last time. The occasion 
was the marriage of this son to a daughter of 
President Chapin of Beloit college. Mr. Edward 
Porter was also there with his wife of only 
two days, and the little grandson felt himself 
especially charged with the duty of introducing 
"my new mamma" — of whom he was already 
both proud and fond, to the whole circle. Mrs. 
Porter's pleasure in the addition of these two 
daughters to the household was very apparent: 
one of them she had known and loved from her 
childhood, the other was from this time to give 
her not only daughterly affection, but daughterly 
care. Her strongest local attachment was prob- 
ably now to Beloit, she had never lived there, only 
come as a guest, but her sons and daughter had all 
been members at some time of Prof. Porter's 
family, and she had found a most congenial rest- 
ing place, again and again, in that beautifully 
ordered Christian home. Chicago had so greatly 
changed since the fire that there was no place there 
which held for her so many dear associations as 
clustered about the pretty college town, so it was 
very pleasant that the whole circle could once more 
gather here, before the wide scattering, which was 
to be the last. Immediately after the wedding, 
Mr. and Mrs. Porter went back to Fort Russell. 



GARRISON LIFE 253 

The daughter returned to her mission field, and a 
few months later Dr. and Mrs. Henry Porter en- 
route for China, reached the military post. They 
found Mr. Porter very unwell, and it was hastily 
decided that he must apply for sick leave and ac- 
company the travelers to the Pacific coast. This 
was thought of at the time as only a temporary 
move, but it proved the end of his service with the 
army, as he was never able to return to Chaplain's 
duty. 

A year and a half was spent in California — six 
months of the time in supplying the pulpit of a 
friend in Grass Valley, the Rev. F. B. Perkins. 
Mrs. Porter enjoyed the mild climate and the 
beauty of orchard and vineyard very much, but 
did not gain strength and Mr. Porter was little 
better than when he left Fort Russell. Just as 
they were ready to come East, Mrs. Porter had an 
attack of fever but she was sure that the journey 
would not injure her, and for many reasons it 
seemed important that it be not delayed. A state 
room was secured, and she carried in arms, like 
a child, to her berth. They telegraphed from 
point to point for such food as she could eat, and 
the long trip was accomplished without harm to the 
invalid. Mr. Perkins with his motherless babe, 
which had been Mrs. Porter's charge, and the nurse 
accompanied them and Mr. Perkins watched over 



254 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

her with filial care until she was met by her own 
son in Chicago. 

Released now from responsibility, the question 
of a home for their declining years arose, but Mrs. 
Porter shrank so from the cold winters of the 
North, and was so desirous of spending at least a 
part of each year, near her sons, that any perma- 
nent resting place seemed impractiable. She herself 
did not desire it. She was too frail for household 
care and could not live in her own house without 
it. From this time, therefore, the home from 
which they came and went was that of the son in 
Detroit. A sunny room, with a bay-window to the 
south, was set apart as theirs and here, for just so 
many months of the year as they could safely 
spend so near the lake shore they were most affec- 
tionately welcomed and tenderly cared for. The 
Woodward Avenue Congregational church, of 
which Dr. Moses Smith was pastor, was very near. 
They took a pew there, and enjoyed such con- 
genial church association and fellowship as they 
had not known since Mr. Porter gave up his own 
pastoral work in 1861. These autumn years had 
upon them the glow of Indian summer for Mrs. Por- 
ter, there were no more separations from her hus- 
band, he was free to go wherever her health required. 
Her pen was busy with her large correspondence, 
she read with keen interest and followed many 



GARRISON LIFE 255 

lines of benevolent work, with thoughtful, prayer- 
ful attention, disbursed her own and other gifts, 
and visited the sick and suffering, the poor and 
sin burdened. After she was gone one of her sons 
requested from Miss Adams of Austin, Texas, 
some account of her winters there. The story shows 
how active she still was "About her Father's busi- 
ness." Miss Adams goes back to her earlier recol- 
lections of Mrs. Porter, but the whole may be fit- 
tingly inserted here. This note accompanied it. 

"Dear Mr Porter: — 

"I am sorry to have been so tardy in 
replying to your request, for some memories of 
your sainted mother; and now anything that I can 
write seems such a faint shadow of that beloved 
character, and the reality of that life service for 
Christ as to be most unsatisfactory. It is a bless- 
ing to have known her as I did." 

"Memories of Mrs. Eliza Chappejl Porter. 

Martha J. Adams. 

"During 1852-53, I taught at Green Bay and had 
a delightful home in the family of Rev. Jeremiah 
Porter. The two eldest sons were at Hadley at 
school. Charlotte, Henry, and Mary, were my 
pupils while dear little Robbie was the pet of the 
household. Miss Caroline Porter, Joseph Curtis, 
and a part of the time Katherine Marsh and Ellen 
McNiel, were members of the family. I remem- 



256 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

ber so well the cheerful devotion of Mrs. Porter 
to the welfare and happiness of this large family, 
and her words and deeds of kindness and sympathy 
for all, especially do I recall her warm and loving 
sympathy with childhood, the joyous Saturdays of 
the children at home. Often Mary Tank came to 
spend the day and marvelous tableaux she and 
Charlotte would arrange in the little room next the 
mother's, with her full and cordial approval of 
their girlish merriment. 

"I recall too how on Sabbath mornings during 
that cold winter a man would arrive at an early 
hour in a wide sleigh, from some miles out to take 
Mrs. Porter, where she had a Sunday school in an 
ignorant and destitute settlement. How wrapped 
in a warm shawl, with hot bricks at her feet, against 
many protests, she would bravely go to tell of 
Jesus, returning just in time to lunch and dress 
for the afternoon service at church at which she ap- 
peared the refined graceful Christian lady. 

"In 1883, I was engaged in teaching and general 
missionary work among the colored people at Aus- 
tin, Texas. I was keeping house in a very quiet 
way in the 'Gillett mansion, ' a large and some- 
what dilapidated house — the other part of it being 
occupied by Rev. G. W. Richardson, a M. E. 
minister and his wife. In the autumn, I received 
a letter from Mrs. Porter, saying that for health's 



GARRISON LIFE 257 

sake they wished to spend the winter in the South, 
and inquiring if I could arrange for them to be with 
me, and if there was work for the Master that 
they could do. 

"More rooms were rented in the house. Our 
black Georgia came to help us keep house and 
here we spent a pleasant and useful six months. 
Mrs. Porter at once became deeply interested in 
my work and for the lowly ones all about us. 
She often went with me to Aunt Delilah's cabin 
where a few women would gather, leaving their 
wash-tubs long enough for a Bible reading and 
prayer-meeting, and I used to think her words 
were to them almost like a voice from heaven. 
The little children in the neighborhood soon learn- 
ed to watch for her as their friend. I recall one 
little waif by the name of Fanny — she was very 
dull, her mother was indifferent to her — but morn- 
ing after morning Mrs. Porter would have her come 
to her room and with the utmost patience and toil, 
try to teach her to read, and when remonstrated 
with for giving so much of her strength to the 
child — she would reply: 'The child must learn to 
read. ' She seemed to see in every little child no 
matter how forlorn or repulsive, an immortal soul 
to be made fit for the redeemer's jewels. 

"At Austin there was apart of the city two miles 
from us, inhabited by ignorant and degraded Whites, 



258 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

Mexicans, and Negroes, where no Christian work 
was done, — her heart yearned to do something for 
them — at last we obtained permission to use an 
old stone-store, at that time used for a school for 
the Mexicans, in which to open a 'Live Oak' Sun- 
day school for the colored children. A room in 
the rear, with the roughest of stone-floors and the 
blackest of rough timbers over head, she wanted 
in which to gather the little children. She con- 
sulted a carpenter living opposite to us about mak- 
ing seats for the little ones —a kind of gallery with 
several rows of benches one above another — he told 
her that he could furnish the lumber, that his men 
could make the seats and so forth. Then on Satur- 
day night his wife came with a bright look upon 
her face to say that the gallery was done and 
placed in the house — and that there was no bill to 
present. So much did Mrs. Porter's enthusiasm 
communicate itself to himself and wife. Here upon 
this gallery she would have a multitude of little 
black children packed as close as their little wrig- 
gling bodies would permit. I seem to see her 
standing before them in that rude room upon that 
rough floor, her beautiful eyes beaming, her whole 
face illumined with love while every eye was 
fastened upon her face as she taught them of God 
and His law, of Jesus and His love. 

"It was wonderful the deep impression she made 



GARRISON LIFE 259 

upon those children's minds and hearts; they still 
remember her most lovingly now, and when the 
hymn, 'Jesus the water of life can give' or 'When 
the cometh, when he cometh, to make up His 
jewels,' is sung their faces will brighten, and they 
will say, 'Mrs. Porter taught us that.' Soon after 
we heard she had entered into rest, two little girls 
who were among the smallest that used to sit upon 
that little gallery, were told that their dear teacher 
had gone to heaven and asked what they remem- 
bered that she had taught them, without hesitation 
replied, 'Blessed are they that do His command- 
ments that they may have right to the tree of life 
and may enter in through the gates into the city.' 

"I remember too, that during this winter of 1883- 
84 she was deeply impressed with the importance of 
the use of the Bible in the public schools of our 
country; much time, thought, letter writing to per- 
sons of influence and conversation did Mr. and 
Mrs. Porter give to this subject. 

"In November, 1884, returning to Austin, Mr. 
and Mrs. Porter accompanied me. Her loving 
Christian spirit manifested itself in traveling. I 
remember her warm personal interest in the trav- 
elers, especially in such as seemed to be in need 
of sympathy and comfort, and always a kindly 
word for the Master. 

"At this time she was deeply interested about 



260 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

starting a kindergarten for the little children at 
Austin. My home was now at Tillotson Inst., and 
Mr. and Mrs. Porter came to board quite near, at 
Judge C. T. Garland's. A colored settlement near 
known as Masontown seemed a desirable place to 
begin one; day after day, either with Mr. Porter 
or myself, she sought but in vain for a vacant 
room of any kind in which to gather the little ones. 
After patient search a small, rude cabin was 
found, rented, and here Mrs. Porter and myself 
began to meet the children for a time in the morn- 
ing. She hoped after a time to secure a regular 
teacher, but Mrs. Porter took cold and many rea- 
sons made her think the time was not fully come 
for that. In this house we opened a Sabbath school 
which was at once filled with the children and 
young people of the community. God greatly 
blessed the school; the place became entirely too 
strait for us and it was a question for much thought 
and prayer how we could enlarge our cabin, think- 
ing we had little or no money to use.. At length 
Mrs. Porter with her characteristic faith and en- 
ergy exclaimed, 'Why not devise liberal things? 
why not arise and build?' The effect was electri- 
cal as she so often seemed to infuse her own 
spirit of work into others. At length the lot, the 
generous gift of Mr. and Mrs. Porter was bought. 
God moved the hearts of others to give, so that 



GARRISON LIFE 261 

in July 1885, an attractive little chapel was ready 
and entered by our Masontown Sabbath School, and 
consecrated to Christian work. 'Porter Chapel' 
stands as a memorial of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah 
Porter's Christian love and their interest in the 
colored people. 

"When the tidings came that Mrs. Porter had 
entered into rest, they were deeply moved and 
felt that they had all lost a dear personal friend. 
Her last message to them sent in the last letter she 
wrote, Dec. 23rd, to me was 'Tell the children and 
parents at Masontown to give their hearts to God 
and to live as Christians. ' This message was 
copied, framed and now hangs upon the wall and 
is repeated often by the children and parents. 

"A tender memorial service was held, and most 
loving tributes paid to her memory — while her 
name is sacredly cherished in the hearts of all who 
knew her there. 

"Mrs. Porter's life was truly a life in Christ, a 
walk with God, a life of prayer; how often, as I 
have sat talking with her upon some subject, she 
would say 'Let us kneel right down here, and pray 
about it.' She always seemed so unconsciously 
to impress others, that she was a child of God, 
and they saw a beauty in her religion. 

"A gentleman at Austin, who only saw Mr. and 
Mrs. P. at church remarked, 'Don't those two peo- 



262 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

pie look as if they were just ready to step into 
heaven.' 

"With an irresistible grace Mrs Porter attracted 
young people to her — her dainty dress to the last, 
her fresh young spirit, her loving sympathy, her 
conversation cheerful, yet full of Christ all were 
a wonderful charm about her." 



CHAPTER XVIII 

INDIAN SUMMER 

In June 1885 Mr. and Mrs. Porter, celebrated 
their golden wedding, Dr. Moses Smith was present 
and gave a brief address. His account of the an- 
niversary, with the exception of its historical sketch, 
which was written and published at the time with a 
brief extract from a Chicago paper, give the points 
of special interest. A volume of the letters received 
from friends who could not accept the invitation 
to Detroit, in Mr. Porter's possession, shows how 
reverently and gratefully, many hearts turned to- 
ward the bride and bridegroom of fifty years. 

"Only one golden wedding may be celebrated in 
a life time. One 'all gold' may be told of to-day. 

"If there is a name in the whole family of Christ 
on earth more often and more lovingly spoken 
than any other, that name is Jeremiah Porter; 
Rev. and Mrs. Jeremiah Porter. 

"They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their 
strength so it has come to pass that these who 
were used of God in early life at the East, and dur- 
ing middle life around the lakes of the Interior, 

263 



264 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

have later been allowed to teach and preach Christ 
in almost all the south and west; literally from 
♦the Old Bay state' to 'the Golden Gate,' from 
'the Lakes to the Gulf,' to white men and black 
men, to Indians and Chinese, to Mexicans and 
Mormons, they have 'preached everywhere, the 
Lord working with them and confirming the word 
with signs following. ' And as if this had been a 
small thing to preach in their own persons across 
this continent, Rev. and Mrs. Porter in the per- 
sons of two beloved children are moving in the 
vast empire of China. Mary H., who went in 
1868 and Henry D., M. D., who went in 1872, 
and is, both from his profession as doctor and as 
resulting from his work during the late famine, al- 
most a veritable Joseph among the many millions 
of the province of Shantung. 

"Rev. and Mrs. Porter have two sons in this 
country, one, Edwards W., in the Methodist church 
at Detroit, the other, James W., in the Presby- 
terian church at Chicago. They have already sent 
five of their children to the better country, the 
heavenly, and are themselves as eager as ever in 
bringing forth fruit for Christ in their old age. 

"As might have been expected the golden wed- 
ding was absolutely unique. It was indescribably 
beautiful. Mr. Porter stands erect, has an elas- 
tic step, clear bright eye and pleasant voice; Mrs. 



INDMN SUMMER 265 

Porter's natural brown hair is untouched by frost, 
her mind remarkably full in all scripture aptness. 

"They received their friends on the evening of 
the 1 5th of June, in the beautiful home of their son 
Edwards (Winder St., Detroit) themselves stand- 
ing under an arch of smilax with the dates '1835- 
1885' in green and roses over them. 'No pres- 
ents, ' went out with all invitations, but floral 
tributes, and hosts of charming letters from all 
parts of the land and the world, marked the oc- 
casion. 

"Among the letters may be specially mentioned 
those from the army, from the First church (Presby- 
terian) of Chicago, from the American Board Bos- 
ton, from the Woman's Board Chicago, and from 
the children in China. Upon the wall there hung a 
tablet from the native Christians of a village in 
Shantung. This scroll of honor, as translated, con- 
veys to 'Porter the elder, the honored, the great 
person, myriad happinesses and eternal longevity. ' 
An eider-down quilt from China represented both 
in the weaving of the silk, in the needlework, em- 
blems of length of days and felicity. A rich satin 
dressing gown from Japan was admirably becom- 
ing the still faithful Home missionary. And a fan 
in Mrs. Porter's hand containing in Chinese the 
twenty-third psalm was yet more in spiritual 
keeping. 



266 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

Delightful reminiscences gave rich point to scrip- 
ture promises. One of the sons told how from 
their earliest remembrance the children had always 
remarked that mother's plans always strangely, 
'came out all right. ' She formed them all for God 
and dark or light the end came to pass. Master 
Ned, the one grandchild in America presented 
to the happy pair the love and golden wishes of 
himself and the two cousins in China. One of the 
city pastors referred to God's marvelous works 
since they had been co-workers, and proffered in 
the name of all the hope that the radiance already 
gilding the western sky may only become richer, 
more golden, until they may walk hand in hand the 
streets all gold, to go no more out forever. Then 
Mr. Porter sweetly responded saying that all these 
fifty years he had owed, next to Christ, most to 
her who out of weakness had been so strong in 
faith and love; telling also how he first found her 
at Mackinaw studying her Bible and that had been 
her daily food ever since; and then of the three 
parts of their happy family, in America and be- 
fore them, in the celestial empire across the Pa- 
cific, and the celestial kingdom on high. 

"After the collation, prayers, 'Blest be the tie,' 
sung, one more word must be heard from the land 
of Sinim; Rev. Henry D. Porter, M. D., to his 
parents on their golden wedding: 



INDIAN SUMMER 267 

"We send a thousand golden kisses, 

O'er a thousand golden miles, 
Shot from end to end with sunbeams, 

Over-wreathed with loves and smiles. 

We are thinking of the gladness 
Treasured in your youthful hearts; 

We rebel against the distance, 

Oceans wide, which hides and parts. 

Yesterday the wind in blowing 

Scattered o'er us yellow dust. 
Out of yellow skies it flurried, 

Hid us with its yellow crust. 

From the dust I catch the symbol, 

Waft it far beyond the seas; 
You shall find it with its message 

Switfly borne by Asia's breeze. 

All these yellow flecks are golden, 
Flurried down from yellow skies: 

They shall meet you on the morrow, 
Cover with a sweet surprise. 

This is star dust. Did you know it? 

Star dust from celestial spheres. 
Thus the spirits now reward you 

For these loves of fifty years. 

Rarest love of man and woman; 

God Himself rewards its test, 
Showers down His treasures golden, 

Gives you of His grace the best." 

"The friends gathered about 8 o'clock, and were 
received by Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Porter, and pre- 
sented to the bride and groom of fifty years by Mr. 
James W. Porter and Mrs. Judge E. S. Williams. 



268 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

They stood to receive the congratulations of the 
guests. The beautiful brown hair of the bride was 
untouched by frost and uncovered by cap. Her 
only ornament a meek and quiet spirit. The gift 
of the groom, the devotion of fifty years. Over 
their heads were the dates wrought in roses, 1835- 
1885. The beautiful floral offerings of friends, 
and the many curiosities sent year by year from 
the son and daughter in China, noticeably a Chi- 
nese birthday scroll to Mrs. Porter from the native 
Christians of one of the mission stations in Shan- 
tung Province, converted the three spacious rooms 
into a very bower of beauty. Presents had been 
prohibited, but as the sound of the marriage bells 
was heard here and there, the love of some of the 
friends could find expression only in rare gifts. 
An exquisitely cut cameo portrait of Mr. Porter, 
came from one of the sons to Mrs. Porter, and 
from another the author's edition of the revised 
Bible. 

During this year Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Smith, 
and their children were in this country on a va- 
cation. In the autumn Mr. and Mrs. Porter ac- 
companied them to California when they spent the 
winter at Los Angeles and Pasadena. Both were 
very feeble, and it seemed plain to these and other 
friends that they needed the companionship and 
care of their only daughter, if they must make f re- 



INDIAN SUMMER 2C9 

quent changes of residence, and from year to year, 
find new resting places for the winters. Mrs. Por- 
ter had accepted every thing demanded of her step 
by step cheerfully, had given without reserve. 
Could she now allow, for her own sake, the crip- 
pling of a mission station when every worker was 
needed? As she saw her husband's failing strength 
she acquiesced in the judgment of her friends, but 
when an appeal from Boston again emphasized the 
claims of the opening field abroad, she wrote with- 
drawing her consent to her daughter's return. It 
was only after months of vacillation, so unlike her 
usual prompt decisiveness when asked to relinquish 
anything for the good of others, that she was per- 
suaded that this should be, and in the spring of 
1886, they met in Oakland. After a summer in 
Detroit, the autumn found the three in Chicago, 
on their way to Tampa, Florida, for the winter. 
It had been the family custom during all the years 
in which they were together as a household, that 
each child should learn a hymn on Sunday and re- 
peat it at evening worship while others present led 
with those already familiar. As Mrs. Porter came 
to have leisure, she adopted the habit of commit- 
ting a hymn, or portion of one each week, and it 
was one of her special pleasures to surprise her 
eldest son when they met with some fresh treasure 
for the Sabbath twilight, and almost every Christ- 



270 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

mas brought her from him some illustrated hymn, 
or volume containing a poem, made dear to them 
by such association. Mrs. Porter used to say with 
a smile, 'Old people cannot commit to memory? 
My mind is not old and shall not grow sluggish for 
lack of use — of course it will not work unless I 
make it, but then, it never would. It is less a 
matter of years than of purpose." 

So to the end she required of it response to hei 
will, entrusted it with many passages of scripture, 
and learned not a few sacred hymns or poems 
when she was nearly eighty years of age. The 
thanksgiving feast was enjoyed that year at Mrs. 
Blatchford's where Mrs. Porter was always an 
honored guest, beloved by parents and children. 
After the dinner as we sat in the family room, a 
young lady friend, a trained elocutionist, was asked 
to repeat Whittier's 'Pumpkin Pie,' which she did 
to the great pleasure of the circle. When she 
finished Mr. Porter said to his wife, 'You have a 
poem of Whittier's which I think they would like 
to hear.' Mrs. Porter shook her head, but Mrs. 
Blatchford had caught the word and came forward 
with, 'Oh yes! Auntie Porter, do give it to us.' 
The room was filled with the family party — the 
portraits of the dear parents of Mrs. Blatchford, 
and of some of those present as they were when 
she first knew them looked down upon her. She 



INDIAN SUMMER 271 

sat in a great easy chair in the bay window leaning 
forward, just a little hesitant and embarrassed, 
then began in that clear sympathetic voice, never 
apparently loud, but heard distinctly in any room 
in which she used it, and repeated. 

MY BIRTHDAY. 

"Beneath the moonlight and the snow 
Lies dead my latest year; 
The winter winds are wailing low 
Its dirges in my ear. 

I grieve not with the moaning wind 

As if a loss befell; 
Before me, even as behind 

God is, and all is well! 

His light shines on me from above 
His low voice speaks within, — 

The patience of immortal love 
Out wearying mortal sin — 

Not mindless of the growing years 

Of care and loss and pain, 
My eyes are wet with thankful tears 

For blessings which remain*, 

If dim the gold of life has grown 

I will not count it dross, 
Nor turn from treasures still my own 

To sigh for lack and loss — 

The years no charm from nature take 

As sweet her voices call 
As beautiful her mornings break 

As fair her evenings fall. 



272 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

Love watches o'er my quiet ways 
Kind voices speak my name 

And lips that find it hard to praise 
Are slow, at least, to blame. 

How softly ebb the tides of will! 

How fields, once lost and won, 
Now lie behind me green and still 

Beneath a level sun ! 

Methinks the spirit's temper grows 

Too soft in this still air; 
Somewhat the wistful heart foregoes 

Of needed watch and prayer. 

The bark by tempest vainly tossed 

May founder in the calm 
And he who braved the polar frost 

Faint by the isles of balm. 

Better than self indulgent years 
The outflung heart of youth, 

Than pleasant songs in idle years 
The tumult of the truth. 

Rest for the weary hands is good, 
And love for hearts that pine, 

But let the manly habitude 
Of upright souls be mine. 

Let winds that blow from heaven refresh 

Dear Lord, the languid air 
And let the weakness of the flesh 

Thy strength of spirit share. 

And if the eye must fail of light 

The ear forget to hear 
Make clearer still the spirit's sight 

More fine the inward ear! 



INDIAN SUMMER 273 

Be near me in mine hours of need 

To soothe or cheer or warn 
And down these slopes of sunset lead 

As up the hills of morn! — " 

When she reached the last lines her right hand, 
which showed weariness or excitement first, trem- 
bled painfully, but her voice was steady and clear 
to the end and her eyes were perhaps the only 
ones in the room not dimmed by tears. For a 
moment the silence was almost oppressive, and it 
was a relief when a sweet impulsive woman slipped 
her arm about Mrs. Porter and, with a kiss, ex- 
claimed "Oh! you dear saint how we thank you!" 
She was in the beautiful home but once after that, 
but many times the scene has come before those 
who heard that wonderful prayer of old age since 
she went up the fairer "Hills of morn" on the other 
side. 

At Tampa, Mr. and Mrs. Porter found a singular 
mingling of the South and North in the old town, 
filling up rapidly with New England people. The 
wife of the pastor, Rev. Sidney Crawford, was a 
lovely woman, as strong of spirit as frail of body, 
and she and Mrs. Porter enjoyed much each other's 
society, as they were at the same table although 
not rooming in the same house. Mrs. Porter's 
deepest interest here was in a settlement of Cubans 
at Ybor city, a mile or more from Tampa, whose 
uncared for intellectual and spiritual condition op- 



274 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

pressed her. Scarcely able to bear any fatigue, 
she went down to the tobacco manufacturing vil- 
lage and made inquiry as to the possibility of secur- 
ing a room for a school there, and tried to find 
some place in which she could board. When re- 
minded how little strength she had to meet the dis- 
comforts of such surroundings she replied, "All 
those children without instruction ! I am sure we 
could do something." In Feburary, however, the heat 
drove Mr. and Mrs.. Porter farther North and she 
was obliged to leave the neglected Cubans for 
others to care for. Among the acquaintances made 
at Tampa, was that of a Mrs. Allen, an elderly 
lady from Philadelphia who was one of those killed 
in the accident on the "Old Colony road" three 
years later. A letter received from her at the time 
of Mrs. Porter's death gives her impressions of her, 
and an account of their last interview which will 
illustrate how, every where and always, Mrs. Por- 
ter was giving out of her own rich experience to 
help other pilgrims on their way to the Celestial 
city. 

"The dear blessed mother gone! 

"How I loved her! how I longed and hoped to 
meet her once more. Her sweetness of heart, her 
simplicity, her saintliness and Christ-like loveli- 
ness. All, all the 'Beauty' that He 'Her Lord' 
had put upon her, all her fascinations were so dear 



INDIAN SUMMER 275 

to me! I shall never see her like again. Was my 
last visit a gift from Heaven? Surely it was. I 
went home through the long street of Tampa, in 
the early evening twilight after an unexpected 
visit with herself alone, on which occasion she had 
been led into a recital of wonderful experience of 
grace so full of interest and profit to me and never 
to be forgotten. There was a presentiment that 
this blessed visit which I had enjoyed with her was 
a heavenly benediction given me as a farewell to 
the beloved saint. . . Well! Most blessed 
mother! I give thanks that I knew her even so 
little, and how thankful I am for that dear farewell 
visit." At the hotel in the pretty little town of 
Interlachen a few weeks were spent, then a month 
or more in Macon, Georgia.. The journey north- 
ward was made by stages, with a tarry here and 
there, until Prairie du Cnien was reached in the 
early summer. Here Mrs. Porter looked over let- 
ters and goods stored in 1869, when the house was 
rented and arrangements were made for the dispo- 
sition of nearly all that remained of family posses- 
sions. The cousins from the familiar Beloit home 
were going east for the college vacation and offered 
the use of their house. For a few delightful weeks 
Mr. and Mrs. Porter were there, near enough to 
Chicago, for frequent visits from the eldest son. 
Housekeeping without care to the frail mother, yet 



276 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

she could entertain her friends and be once more 
as hostess. Several old friends were with her as 
guests, to her great joy. The love of all natural 
beauty, had grown with the years. Failing strength, 
especially failing hearing, shut her out from many 
interests but she was never more happily occupied 
than during these months. She wrote many let- 
ters, read aloud and listened to reading, for she 
never had any difficulty in hearing her husband's 
clear tones — and spent hours watching the birds 
from the windows. It was a summer of drought, 
and basins of water were placed under the trees 
for her feathered and furry friends. These she 
would fill and refill, and grew to know the individ- 
ual robins, jays, and squirrels, which frequented 
them. During this summer also she wrote the 
"Message to the Woman of Wisconsin" for the State 
Home Missionary Union which was published as a 
leaflet and will be found in the appendix of this 
volume. Mrs. ' Prof. Emerson says in a letter 
written after Mrs. Porter was gone. 

"You know how readily your mother responded 
to the request to write us such a message, but I want 
to tell you of the August evening when she put 
it into my hands completed. You will remember 
that you took your father and my husband to the 
parlor, leaving us in the sitting-room. As you left 
the room, the door bell rang and she invited me to 



INDIAN SUMMER 277 

her own room, saying: 'We shall be interrupted 
here, and I must see you alone.' There in the 
alcove of her room she read with unwonted energy 
and feeling even for her, her MSS. to me. Her 
soul was so in her reading that I could but wish 
she were able to go to Whitewater and read it 
there. She afterward counted out to me Mrs. 
Tank's money, apportioning it as she desired to 
various Home Missionary departments, speaking 
as she did so with her usual intelligence and unu- 
sual feeling about each. She then in a prompt 
business way asked for a receipt for the same writ- 
ten at her dictation, as she seemed exceedingly de- 
sirous the funds should go through the right chan- 
nels, and delicately conscientious to meet Mrs. 
Tank's preferences as to its disposal. 

When this was done her talk was like one in- 
spired about the glory of the kingdom of Right- 
eousness to be established in the whole earth. 'Now 
being established' she said, 'through just such feeble 
agencies as we are here using. ' She asked for 
prayer over the message and the money, and as she 
prayed her faith, transcendent, seemed to me to 
take all the world and all its sin redeemed to a 
life of Christian activity here and a heaven of love 
and purity hereafter. ' The interview left me with 
such a feeling of buoyancy and certainty as to the 
speedy and complete triumph of the right. You 



278 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

will notice that there are over twenty distinct quo- 
tations from scripture in this little leaflet, and that 
all its language, nearly, is that of the Bible." 
Another friend, Mrs. A. L. Chapin writes of this 
time. 'I find my thoughts continually going back 
to the happiness of last summer, with our joy in 
your mother's presence. . . How vivid is the 
impression of her as we were favored to see her, 
on the lawn, or coming from her room to greet us, 
or moving gracefully from one to another as we 
talked, not sitting quietly to receive the homage we 
should so gladly have paid. Do you remember 
one day, just before the other family returned, 
her quick, light step as she went to the table for a 
Bible and the rather amused smile (how shall I 
describe it) ? with which she handed it to Mr. Chap- 
in saying she was still the hostess, and it became 
her to attend to family worship?' Another dear 
friend, in the same circle, looking back to that and 
her other sojourns in Beloit, says: "To me your 
mother was always a 'strengthening angel' giving 
to my weakness and very limited sphere of work 
such hope and cheer and encouragement as no one 
else could give. . . Ever since she went with- 
in the veil the beautiful lines of Longfellow have 
been in my mind as fitting tribute to such a life. 

"To thee death's 
Only a step into the open air 



INDIAN SUMMER 279 

Out of a tent always luminous 
With light that shines through 
Its transparent walls" — 

From Beloit Mrs. Porter went in early Septem- 
ber to Detroit, for her last visit in that home. It 
was her plan to return to Chicago, for the meet- 
ing of the Woman's Board of Missions of the In- 
terior in October, but a threatening of pneumonia 
the week before prevented, and she sent them her 
message by another. It was in the Master's 
words.. 

"Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it," with an 
earnest plea that in His strength the society plan 
for and attempt great things. 



CHATPER XIX 

THE LAST DAYS 

ABIDE WITH ME 

"Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.' 
— Luke xxvi, 29. 

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide; 

The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide; 
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, 

Help of the helpless, O abide with me. 

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; 

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; 
Change and decay in all around I see, 

Thou Who changest not, abide with me. 

I need Thy presence every passing hour; 

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power? 
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? 

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. 

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless; 

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; 
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? 

1 triumph still, if Thou abide with me. 

Hold Thou Thy Cross before my closing eyes; 

Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies; 
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows 
flee; 

In life, in death, O Lord; abide with me. 

Amen. 
280 



THE LAST DAYS 281 

While the board was still in session she came to 
the city, and there in the home of her niece Mrs. 
Goble, passed her eightieth britdhay — but she was 
too feeble to go about and met only those who 
called upon her there. 

All noticed with a little heart sinking, how she 
clung to her friends and how often she spoke of 
the parting as likely to be the last. But this had 
been her habit for years, and her children were 
wont to answer. "Oh! you will stay with us now, 
until the family come from China. Lucius, Jamie, 
and your namesake Chappell must see their grand- 
mamma." Her face would light up at the word, 
and she would respond with loving earnestness, 
"Yes! If God will. I do want to see Henry with 
his children about him." 

This was the last earthly desire which the Lord, 
who loved her, asked her to resign. In what 
spirit she did it a letter which reached the far off 
China home on the last day of her life shall tell. 

"Detroit Nov. ist 1887. 

"My darling H 

"Thanks for your sweet remembrance of your 
mother's eightieth birthday, which is within four 
days of the arrival of your words of cheer. I am 
just now much oppressed with a cold which led 
me to ask, when your father read from your letter 
of Lucius being distressed for fear he should never 



282 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

see Grandma Porter — if the angels told him she 
was going to the heavenly home before he came to 
America? I hope to meet you all but I am con- 
scious that the time is short, which remains, and 
should God send for me before you come, my dar- 
lings must think of me as with the dear Saviour 
who has been 'My strength and my song,' all 
along the way, and never more really present, as 
Redeemer and Saviour, than now. Let Christ, 
His life and promises. His very presence be your 
joy. . 'And God is able to make all grace abound 
toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency 
in all things may abound to every good work.' All 
you both need, my darlings, for all things. 

Again a little later. 

"Santa Barbara, Dec. 4th. 

"My most precious children. All the dear group 
— all of whom come up so distinctly before my 
mind as I write to you. Thanks to our Father in 
heaven that we have such pleasant accounts from 
parents and dear children. May that loving hand 
still preserve my darlings, and permit us to meet 
again on this beautiful coast, from which we now 
look across the great ocean. You seem already 
near us and we do fondly hope that the time will 
soon come when 'that which we see' we need 'no 
longer hope for.' For this our united prayers will 
continue to ascend while with joy we meet at our 



THE LAST DAYS 283 

Father's mercy seat and say 'Not as I will but as 
thou wilt.' And to the little grandson, who waked 
crying from his dreams "afraid grandma will not 
wait for us to get to America." "You must ask 
God every day to let grandpa and grandma stay 
until you can come across the great ocean if that is 
best for us all; and ask Him to help you always to 
say, 'Not as I will but as God wills.' 

"That is what we need to make us always good 
and always happy, too." 

She reached Santa Barbara, after a very com- 
fortable journey, and was most affectionately wel- 
comed by Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Perkins in whose fami- 
ly she was to be. Their home was a vine covered 
cottage surrounded by lovely flowers and fine trees, 
opposite a little park, in sight of the mountains 
and within hearing of the sea. She made friends 
quickly here as every where, and particularly en- 
joyed telling of the way the Lord had led her to an 
invalid lady who had accompanied the party to Cal- 
ifornia. They sat together, on the verandah under 
the roses, morning after morning, with Bibles in 
their hands and held sweet converse of the Belov- 
ed and His dealings with His own. A letter of 
Mrs. Porter's to those who had entertained her last 
in Chicago, shows how her heart overflowed with 
love, and how she received each thoughtful atten- 
tion as a direct gift from her Father's hand. 



384 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"Santa Barbara, Nov. 3th, 1887." 
"My dear niece: — 

And dear family all. 

"I do not feel that the little postal 
expresses in the least our sense of appreciation of 
loving kindness received in your dear family circle 
during those last days of our stay in the city of 
our early love, and which, in our weakness, was 
made so pleasant and comfortable by the kind at- 
tention of parents and children. The aroma is 
sweeter to us than that of California flowers which 
are daily brought in by dear friends here who 
minister most kindly to our comfort, and study to 
add to it in many more ways than we could ex- 
pect. 

"One week has passed since we arrived, and only 
'Goodness and mercy, have followed us. ' My cough 
although not gone is better, and I am improving, I 
hope, although not conscious of much change. To 
have accomplished such a journey however, with- 
out loss of strength is matter for devout thanks- 
giving. 

"To have come from so much love and thought- 
'ulness to a cold stranger home would have been 
sad, but instead we are met with the kindest atten- 
tion and care. Nothing which it is in the power 
of each to add to our comfort or pleasure is neg- 
lected. I know you will unite with us in thanks- 



THE LAST DAYS 285 

giving to our Father in heaven for such loving kind- 
ness given in this far off but beautiful land by the 
Great Pacific, and amid the rocks and mountains 
which are in wonderful contrast to the smiling 
flowers and shrubs which meet us on every side. 
A great variety of climbing roses and clinging vines 
surround us, and look in at our window on an up- 
per verandah. Our dear B — has grown to be a fine 
little school boy, but was prepared to meet us as the 
friends of his papa and mamma, who had cared 
for him when a baby, so we have a little adopted 
grandson as affectionate and sweet, as manly too, 
as we could wish. Mr. Perkins keeps a slow, 
gentle horse for the use of the family. M. took 
me down to the beach when the mighty ocean is 
seen beating and surging against the sand. Though 
it roar it cannot prevail or pass beyond its ap- 
pointed boundary (see Jer. v:22). 

"Wonderful to see this ocean held in peace by the 
sand on a level with the water, because He who 
made it said 'Hither to and no further and here 
shall thy proud waves be stayed.' Surely we may 
trust such power when assured that our God is 
love, and that He gave His only Son to save the 
world He loved. Oh! that men would praise the 
Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works 
to the children of men. I have much that I would 
say but must lay aside my pen. Love to any who 
love us and ask for us in your circle.. . . " 



286 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

The days of sunshine and beauty were followed 
by an unusual succession of rainy ones, with chill 
winds and penetrating dampness. Mrs. Porter sat 
by her open fire and bore the change so well that 
the hope of a comfortable winter grew more and 
more assured, just before the holidays, she took a 
slight cold. 

On Christmas eve, Saturday evening, gifts for 
herself and Mr. Porter were placed in her room 
while she sat with the family in the parlor below. 
She went upstairs early, as was her habit, and in 
a few moments came running down, her arms full 
of Christmas presents, to share her pleasure with 
the family circle. Just one of those sweet impetu- 
ous things which came from her child-heart. A 
little morocco case, containing photographs of each 
of the absent sons and daughters, especially de- 
lighted her, and when she was laughingly reminded 
to look at the labels and see which were her pres- 
ents and which his, she said "This is mine, do we 
not have every thing together? 1 shall keep it al- 
ways in sight" and she pressed each dear face in 
turn caressingly against her cheek. She then turned 
to examine other things, but all the time held the 
folded case as if loath to part with it even for a 
moment. During the next we^ek it was placed here 
or there in her room, that in whatever position she 
lay it might be "always in sight" and again and again 



THE LAST DAYS 287 

she remarked, "I do love to have them where I can 
see them all." Sunday morning she came down 
stairs, but the day was chilly and as she had a 
cold, it was not thought prudent for her to attend 
the Christmas service. Her son had sent her an 
illustrated copy of "Abide with me" and she spent 
part of the morning in committing the hymn to 
memory. The last written words were penned 
during the quiet hour while the other members of 
the family were absent. 

"Santa Barbara, Cal. 

Dec. 25th. 1887, 

"My Precious Son: — 

"This glad Christmas morning brings new 
tokens of loving thoughts from my precious ones 
who have already anticipated this blessed day, 
with all its hallowed associations of home, child- 
hood, husband beloved, and children most dear. 

"Sweet memories! And such blessed hopes as 
are pressed upon us afresh on this Christmas 
morning in this land of sunshine and flowers, so far 
away by the great ocean. As I am alone for an 
hour and began to take in the import of your last 
gift, I turned to my testament to find expression 
for feelings which my pen cannot impart to my be- 
loved son, in appreciation of his tender, unfailing, 
thoughtful care and sympathy, so sweetly, fully, 
tenderly and comfortingly expressed in that hymn. 



288 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

I opened to Philippians 4th, and read on until I 
reached the 4th verse. I found no one to select but 
refer to the whole reading, hoping you too may take 
its exhortations and rest in its promises. As you 
read the tenth verse accept it as mother's thanks 
for all that hymn suggests. Yes! 'Fast falls the 
eventide, the darkness deepens ' But in Him who 
came on this glad Christmas day As 'A light to 
lighten' the world, to 'lighten the Gentiles' there 
is 'No darkness at all' even 'At eventide it shall 
light. ' 'And when He who is our life shall appear 
there shall we also appear with them, we 'shall be 
like Him' Wonderful assurance! We will lay hold 
of this and other promises and girding up the loins 
of our minds go on our way rejoicing, and in the 
eighteenth verse. I will lay aside my pen asking 
you to read on and take in the whole of the fol- 
lowing verses, while I lay me down and rest as my 
little reminder* of the rapid flight of the hours in- 
forms me that if I have a nap before dinner it 
must be sought at once. So I will just ask for my 
son the full realization of the nineteenth verse and 
casting all care on him who careth for us, rest." That 
underscored rest, was the last word she ever wrote: 
the hands which had been so busy with corres- 
pondence ever since released from heavier labors, 
which had sent so many messages of cheer, of 

* A small clock which her sqn had given her just as she was leaving Chi- 
cago. 



THE LAST DAYS 289 

counsel, of tender exhortation, had ceased from 
toil, although for another week their caressing 
touch was ever ready to sooth the grief of those 
who watched beside her. 

While in the parlor that evening a chill came 
upon her, and, evidently in much pain, she went 
to her room. The night was a hard one, but no 
one was called and it was not until Monday morn- 
ing that friends realized that she was seriously ill. 
An experienced physician from San Francisco, 
was happily near, and nothing which watchful 
care and skill could give was lacking for her relief. 
When the doctor first examined her, in reply to 
some question she said: "I think the old machinery 
is about worn out, it has served faithfully for 
eighty years," and when after revived hopes the 
physician could do no more for her he said: "We 
have fought a brave battle, a wonderful one. I 
thought yesterday we had won it, but you were 
right, the 'machinery is worn out' it will not bear 
any more" She did strive to live, there was no 
passive resignation, but the most earnest positive 
effort to recover, and, after the pneumonia gave 
way, and the fever was subdued, for twenty-four 
hours hope revived in all hearts. The nurse wrote 
"She sets herself to the hateful task of eating, 
while she loathes food, with all her old determi- 
nation, and if meaning to live can restore her she 



290 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

will be given back to us," To this effort she was 
nerved by the thought of the absent children, and 
hope of a family reunion the following summer, 
but through it all she was at rest because her whole 
heart said: "God's will is good, best, let it be 
done in me, through me, by me." During the 
previous week she had sent many tokens of holiday 
remembrances to absent friends. As she lay in 
great suffering she recalled others, especially two 
in loneliness and widowhood, and knowing that 
all were too much engrossed to attend to it then, 
she begged that her desire to send a small sum of 
money to each might be written down lest it should 
be forgotten. 

With these requests were noted a few of her 
expressions of trust and exclamations of abound- 
ing joy. These came most often in times of ago- 
nizing distress, when she seemed to fear that those 
about her would think of her as suffering. "In 
answer to a bitter cry "Oh, God!" from one who 
watched beside her, at seeing her frail form writh- 
ing with agony she said: "Do not feel so. It is 
not I that suffer only my poor body;" and again 
when looking into her eyes, so full of love and 
tenderness with all the old light in them the 
watcher said: "How can your eyes be so bright 
when you are so ill ?" she answered with a gleam 
of the humor which had sparkled through all her 



THE LAST DAYS 291 

vicissitudes "Why should not my eyes be bright, 
it is not my mind that is sick, only my poor body. 
It is my mind whose light you see in my eyes, that 
is well, calm, at peace." 

The ninety-first Psalm had been her staff many 
times in her pilgrimage. At every family parting, 
— and her life had been so full of them — it had been 
read, and the associations with it were peculiarly 
tender. A few weeks before her illness in reading 
it over she had remarked "Every promise has been 
fulfilled to me but the last." When it was plain 
that she was to leave her loved ones, a day or two 
before the end, the familiar promises were read 
once more and the question asked. "Has the last 
promise been fulfilled now, are you satisfied with 
long life?" She smiled, a bright, glad smile and 
answered "Yes! Satisfied, but I still long to see 
more of His Salvation." 

On one of the last days Mr. Porter was per- 
suaded to drive out with a friend to get some cut 
flowers which her eldest son had sent to have given 
her on New Year's day. He was absent for several 
hours and on his return she turned her face eager- 
ly at sound of his footsteps and said: "How glad 
I have always been to welcome you, dear!" That 
was the day of hope to those who watched, per- 
haps she knew a few hours before they did, that 
she would welcome him next, where there are no 
more partings. 



292 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

From a letter written to Mrs. Blatchford, soon 
after the struggle ceased, a glimpse of the impres- 
sion of those days may be gained. 

"They were a fitting close to a life like hers. 
Her mind alert keen, ready as ever, her heart over 
flowed with tenderness toward all, while her poor 
body was racked with acute and intense distress of 
varied forms. Her own sweet radiant smile broke 
over her face again and again, while the contortion 
of pain was still upon it, as she said 'This weary 
body writhes but 'His comforts delight my soul. ' 
It seemed as if her spirit stood apart and pitied 
the agony of the flesh while exulting in its own 
triumph. As the doctor came to give an opiate 
which should relieve the suffering she said: 'In it 
all there is peace like a river, perfect peace, ' and 
from such peace, in the fiery furnace of pain, she 
passed into unconsciousness, and before the New 
Years morning dawned, into life." 

Because her mind was so clear and her heart so 
at rest, questions concerning the future, or her 
immediate comfort were as usual, left to her own 
decision. When a telegram came asking if her 
sons should try to reach her, the return message 
was in her own words. "Mother says do not 
come, it would be too late, sends love and thanks," 
and so as to whether she should endure the dis- 
tressing suffering or let an opiate lull her to un- 



THE LAST DAYS 293 

consciousness her watchers asked her to decide. 
Her wondeiful unselfishness and perfect self-com- 
mand, were never more clearly shown than in her 
quiet refusal to plan for the future of those dearest 
to her. In answer to such questions she said, 
several times. "It seems now, as if it would be 
best to do so, but it would make it hard for you to 
change afterward if some other course proved wiser 
if I had advised this. God will show you the way 
step by step." For many years the thought of 
the Heavenly Home had seemed ever present in 
Mrs. Porter's mind. She spoke of it as naturally, 
and as frequently as an absent child does of his 
father's house; so it was very noticeable that dur- 
ing that last week, all her thought centered on 
Christ and His great work. Not the joyous an- 
ticipation of freedom from pain, scarcely a word 
about heaven, but constant exultation in Jesus the 
Redeemer. She did not ask her beloved ones to 
meet her above or talk of reunion, even that dear 
hope was in the background, in her earnest desire 
that they should search more deeply into, and learn 
more humbly the mind of Christ. The one mes- 
sage for her own absent ones, and for the great 
circle of friends, who would miss her so sorely, 
was always the same in substance, although varied 
in form, which she one day expressed in the 
words, "Oh! beg Christians not to stop at the 



294 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

beginnings, but to press on to the things which 
come afterwards." She was very weak, and it was 
hard to ask an explanation but the question was 
gently put. 'What things afterward? "Oh!" said 
she; "Do not be content just with the rudiments 
but search for the 'hid treasures' of God's higher 
lessons." Then, too weary to expand the thought. 
"It is all in the third chapter of Ephesians" and, 
at intervals, as paroxysims of pain permitted, she 
repeated the wonderful verses from the ninth to 
the close of the chapter. It was hours before she 
had gone through them, and some sentences linger- 
ed on her lips in many repetitions "The fellowship 
of the mystery" "Filled with all the fullness of God." 
The grief of her watchers at her pain, the visible 
tokens of which they could not always conceal, 
brought frequent assurance that "This light afflic- 
tion which is but for a moment" did not touch the 
fountains of joy or peace. It was at such times 
that she said 'Let us rejoice more in God. Not 
rejoice in things painful and distressing, but in the 
Lord who is 'the same yesterday, to-day and for- 
ever.' 

*I will make mention of Thy name. Thine only. 
In myself weaker than a bruised reed, but in the 
Lord there is everlasting strength. 

"Through pains, and groans, and dying strife, 
oh! let me languish in life." I have that life — 
life more abundantly I" 



THE LAST DAYS 295 

"My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the 
strength of my head and my portion forever — 
blessed forever /" 

"He holds me when the billows smite; I cannot 
fall." 

It was shortly before midnight that Mrs. Porter 
realized that stupor was coming over her. She 
said "good-night" very tenderly to those who stood 
about her. At the sound of the bell, they wished 
one another a Happy New Year knowing that hers 
was to open in "Another land than ours." Already 
she had passed beyond pain, but she was dimly 
conscious of the time and roused her benumbed 
powers for one more look of love, one more repe- 
tition of her favorite word of endearment. Mr. 
Porter was very feeble but able to recline where he 
could watch her face. In the chill of early morn- 
ing when the heavy breathing grew shorter and 
then ceased, his was the voice which broke the 
silence as he arose and stood beside her. "Thanks 
be to God, which giveth us the victory through 
our Lord Jesus Christ." 

On Tuesday morning a few friends gathered for 
a service of remembrance. The still form lay in 
her golden wedding dress, with beautiful flowers 
about it, and on the face the look of peace. The 
prayers and hymns were full of praise. A fierce 



296 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

driving rain-storm raged without and friends grieved 
that even the casket which bore 'The earthly 
house of her tabernacle' — still so dear! — must be 
sent out in it for the long eastward journey, but 
she was no longer a "Pilgrim" but had entered her 
"Father's house" Mr Porter was too much of an in- 
valid to make the trip across the continent at that 
season of the year, but the family all desired that a 
memorial service be held in Chicago, and that Rose 
Hill cemetery be the resting place of the weary 
body, as it was ot those of the five children who 
had preceded her 

Mr. and Mrs. Blatchford assisted Mr. James Por- 
ter in making all necessary arrangements, and 
the Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior in 
the following letters, expressed their desire to 
attend the service as a body of daughters. 

"512 Washington Boul. 

"Chicago, Jan. 10th." 

"Mr. James Porter, 
"My dear sir: — 

"At the meeting of committee of the 
Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior, this 
morning, it was voted; that as a board, we request 
Mr. Porter, to allow us the honor of receiving the 
remains of his revered mother on their arrival in 
the city, and taking care of them until the time 
of the funeral. 



THE LAST DAYS 297 

"As I was appointed to convey the request to 
you, my dear Mr. Porter, I am glad of the oppor- 
tunity to tell you, as doubtless others have already, 
that we, as a Board feel that we too have lost a 
mother. While our hearts go out in sympathy 
for the children so deeply bereaved, we feel that 
our loss is one that can never be made up to us. 
The wise counsels, the generous gifts of her chil- 
dren and her money, and the many prayers of your 
gracious mother were blessings that we valued 
highly and yet did not half appreciate. Of her 
admonitions, two are with us continually, in our 
hearts and on our lips. They were "Plan great 
things" and "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it." 
Emphasized as they were, by her life, they had 
great power over us all. When you miss her 
sorely, as you will, in times of joys or sorrow, 
please let the thought, that every occasion of 
thank-offering or of appropriation for the year will 
bring us a new sense of our loss and a very tender 
feeling for her bereaved family, give you such com- 
fort as may be found in human sympathy and ap- 
preciation. Your dear mother's gifts or sugges- 
tions never failed us in our times of need. In be- 
half of the W. B. M. I. allow me to subscribe my- 
self, 

Your sorrowing friend, 

Mary J. Wilcox, 

"Secretary." 



298 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

"Oak Park 111." 

"Jan. 9th, 1888. 
"James Porter Esq. 
' Dear Sir: — 

"The news of the home going of 
your honored mother has brought to us, the mem- 
bers of the Woman's Board of Mission of the In- 
terior, a sense of sore bereavement. 

"It is as though our mother had left us. She was 
a guide moving on in advance, and almost within 
the gates of the other world, and sending us back 
messages which she heard there. Now she has 
hastened on and is within, and there is a great 
loss and emptiness to us. We can catch a little 
glimpse of what it must be to you, her children. 
The many years in which you have had so rare a 
mother have added greatly to the sense of loss. 
All our friends grow precious in a rapidly increasing 
ratio with every year of life, and especially in this 
case where the growing years seemed to be years 
borrowed from Heaven, a Heaven life here in the 
twilight of the glory. 

"She has made every particle of her existence 
and of her influence to tell for the utmost in 
Christ's kingdom through the whole lifetime of 
Chicago, and we know that we must be willing to 
spare her and to let her rest, and even to be ex- 
ceeding glad with her in the glorious welcome and 



THE LAST DAYS 299 

the blessed fellowship of those choice spirits who 
with her are now gathering home. 

"We have through all the years of our organi- 
zation, felt her strong impelling and inspiring force. 
Her rare life of missionary work, even without 
her vigorous words, was a powerful stimulus. We 
wish to express to you our tenderest sympathy and 
to request that we may be allowed as a body to 
attend the funeral with the family. 

"On behalf of the Executive committee. 
Yours sincerely, 

Mrs. S. J. Humphrey." 

The husband wrote from Santa Barbara, Jan. 
14th. 

" Your dear, loving letter in reply to your 

mother's of Christmas day, reached us on the 12th. 

"Hers might indeed have come from heaven In 
the bright light of our Father's house she had 
lived so long, she spoke and wrote in it, to the 
comfort and joy of those seeking that light, until 
that last note. Never was her testimony more 
clear and convincing than in the last week of her 
tarry on this side the vale. 

"Although she, and we all had ardently wished 
we might welcome home H. and B. — and their 
three sons, that she gave up with sweet submis- 
sion to Our Father's will. Just before the first 
hours of 1888 she replied to a question about her 



300 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

pains of body. 'Yes! anything for relief, but 
'Peace flows through my soul like a river'. So 
her last sentence uttered was like the truimphant 
language of her life for many many years. 
Late Saturday evening your telegram assured us 
that the precious dust had safely made its long 
journey. For this we again thank God most grate- 
fully. Now it will be watched by dear friends until 
such visible care will be no more needed. 'Abide 
with me' had been the prayer of her heart more 
constantly for more than sixty years, than that of 
any other I have known. What quietness and 
assurance it wrought — what constant, deep, all em- 
bracing love!" 

About this same date, too late for her eyes to 
see it, came a letter from the son in China written 
on her eightieth birthday. Some gift for that an- 
niversary she had acknowledged in the last letter 
from Detroit. 

"Pang Chuang, China. 

November 5th, 1887. 
"My Dearest Mother: — 

"So sweet and beautiful is the life you 
have lived, so rich to us now in all its tender 
sweetness and abounding spiritual strength! Even 
we who are so familiar with it, look with a glad 
and filial wonder at the many, many years that 
still so gently fall upon you. These days are not 



THE LAST DAYS 301 

as those other and elder days when such as Moses 
undertook great tasks of leadership under the weight 
of eighty years of discipline. And yet they are 
good and gracious days when children are permitted 
to bring their children to see and venerate the 
lives that have been everything to them. It is not 
strange that we should love our own, nor worship 
those who have been in so many ways in place 
of Him who is invisible. 

"On the long journey whither we have gone and 
returned, we have seen over many a door-way a 
beautiful tablet in gilt with the inscriptions 'The 
Home of Five Generations, ' 'The Dwelling of 
Four Generations.' They marry young and so 
can easily have the four or five. Shall we be made 
happy in the three generations with dear father 
and yourself as the leaders of a little family 'tem- 
ple' as the Chinese call the 'Home? To the poor 
Chinese nothing seems more beautiful than aged 
parents dwelling in the midst of their children. 
And to us, although we may have another shrine 
higher than the dear leaders and moulders of our 
human lives, still there is nothing so sweetly gra- 
cious and beautiful as the acceptance of such love, 
and the rendering of loving homage in return. I 
think that Victoria, with all her regal splendor, 
could not vie her crown with that of wisdom and 
gentleness, of faith and of love that rests upon 
eighty years. 



302 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"We cannot be there to shower you with kisses, 
but we will keep them fresh and sweet, God will- 
ing for the summer days. Will they be richer with 
the perfume of the summer. They will not be 
warmer, even though these be the chill autumn 
days. 

"I wonder if you are as proud of your three boys 
as B — is of hers. Of course, she would not say 
so, nor perhaps would you. We will not force you 
to any confession but that of love, and that is al- 
ways an easy one to make, except once in a life- 
time. 

"By the mail that came while I was away, my 
birthday letter came, so that I know there is no 
need of a confession of love even. I can believe 
that love grows sweeter and lovelier with all the 
years, and so shall not attempt to estimate your 
love for us by ours for you. 

"What if love could be so strong as as to change 
all weakness into strength, physical, I mean, and 
age into immortal youth ? Is that what the tender 
love of God for His children is? If that be so, 
then we at some time may realize its wondrous 
depth and energy. Till then we can rejoice in the 
increasing love of parents for children and children 
for parents. 

"And God is our Father? Why should we not 
cling to Him. Men do not know of Him. They 



THE LAST DAYS 303 

will, if He be shown to them as real and personal, 
loving and gracious. 

"But I must stop. A whole corona of love 
from us all to adorn our sweet mother and grand- 
mamma. Henry." 

"Chicago, Jan., 16th. 
"To Mr. Porter. 

"We are grateful that the dear remains 
were not again hindered on the way by the most 
unusual storms but could be conveyed and convoyed 
to-day by loving friends to the New England 
church. There in charge of the sorrowing, rejoic- 
ing women of the Board they wait the services of 
to-morrow, and then will be taken by her sons to 
their last resting place. If all her living sons could 
but have accompanied them! But this is a part 
of the price which the dear absent one pays for the 
privilege of his great service, and 'As one whom 
his mother comforteth' we may trust the Master will 
comfort him." 

The following account of the memorial service ap - 
peared in one of the Chicago dailies, Jan. 18th, 
1888. 

"Like her life the funeral of Mrs. Jeremiah Por- 
ter was simple and unostentatious. The services 
began at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, in the New 
England church, corner Delaware place and Dear- 
born avenue. The choir was composed of friends 



304 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

of Mrs. Porter's, Mrs. Bradley, N. H. Blatchford, 
and Harry Hubbard. 

"After they had sung 'Jerusalem the Golden,' 
President Fisk of the Chicago Theological seminary 
read an extended biography of the deceased. He had 
been one of her warmest friends, and several times 
his voice shook with emotion. Prayer was offered 
by Dr. G. S. F. Savage, after which the Rev. J. 
H. Barrows, pastor of the First Presbyterian church 
spoke feelingly of the life and character of Mrs. 
Porter. 

"The benedication was pronounced by the Rev. 
Arthur Little, pastor of New England church. 
Many of Mrs. Porter's old friends were in attend- 
ance at the services, the most of them with gray 
heads and bowed forms, each representing a part 
of the history of Chicago. 

"A beautiful oil painting of Mrs. Porter, was hung 
in the church parlor. It represented her sitting at 
the bedside of a dying soldier. Her dark auburn 
hair, unchanged at the time of her death, her 
beautiful smile, and benevolent features were re- 
produced in a strikingly lifelike manner. The in- 
terment was at Rose Hill. 

Beside the services at Santa Barbara, Chicago 
and Austin another was held in the little Chinese 
village of Pang Chuang, to which the tidings of 
her release had been flashed beneath the sea and 




m \i:i i: ki >i r\i i.rsK. pinx 1^4 



THE LAST DAYS 305 

across the wide continents. Rev. Arthur Smith 
gave the gathered Chinese Christians some remin- 
iscences of the mother of the pastor and physician 
whom, for his sake, they loved and mourned. 

During the year there was cast at the Meneely 
Works of Troy, New York, a bell inscribed: 

"Ring out the old ring in the new 
Ring in the Christ that is to be." 

In memory of 

ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 
presented by her husband 

REV. JEREMIAH PORTER. 

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever" 

In the year of our Lord 1888 and of the 

Emperor Kuang Hsii the 14th. 

Which now hangs in the tower of the Pang 
Chuang chapel, and calls to prayer from among that 
heathen people a little company of those who know 
and of those who seek, "Like precious faith" 
with hers. 



CHAPTER XX 

IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 

Within a few weeks after Mrs. Porter "entered 
into rest" Mr. Perkins wrote several sketches of 
her life for publication in the religious newspapers, 
One which was most satisfactory to those who knew 
her best, an appreciative and discerning analysis 
of her character, is given here. It is followed by 
an extract from a sermon by Dr. Arthur Little, 
and by a small number of the many letters which 
came to the family from all parts of this land and 
from not a few of the mission fields abroad. 

"In the announcement to friends of their honored 
mother's departure; Mrs. Porter's children have 
placed at the beginning Whittier's beautiful stanza: 

"The dear Lord's best interpreters 

Are humble human souls; 
The gospel of a life like hers 
Is more than books or scrolls." 

And none who knew the dear saint can question 

the fitness of this application of the poet's words. 

Her life was the gospel ; a daily setting forth of 

Christ in the fullness of His power and grace. 

Even the sacred writer's lofty phrase "brightness of 

30(> 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 307 

His Glory and express image of His person," does 
not in this connection seem out of place. For if 
ever a saint was "the glory of Christ," she was 
such. It was the embodied Christ-life which shone 
out upon the world from her. There seemed to be 
no other; certainly to us who knew her only in the 
evening of the days. The Christ-life had absorbed 
everything. For her "to live was Christ." The 
life which she lived in the flesh, she lived by the 
faith of the Son of God." Taxing memory for the 
task I cannot recall one word or act, look or judg- 
ment, breathing other than the spirit of Christ; not 
one which as indicating character seemed unworthy 
of the blessed Master. She was herself a convin- 
cing rebuke to the current materialistic skepticism. 
Her God, her Christ, her heaven, her divine sup- 
ports and impulses were living realities. In her 
presence doubt seemed monstrous, while she was 
speaking even wordly hearts glowed with light from 
God's face and were drawn toward the fellowship 
of His children. The phenomenon was often ob- 
served. It was the constraint of a loving Christ- 
like character. The blessed Master revealed in 
a holy life. 

"It was a sad mistake however, to confound this 
Christ-likeness with nature, or to think of its graces 
as spontaneous growths. The kingdom of heaven 
provides for no such miracles; and this saint strove 



308 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

for what she gained. Not a painless or tearless 
struggle either. Those who knew her best testify 
that she was not a whit behind those glorified ones, 
who 'wrestled hard with sins and doubts and fears, ' 
that, despite the sweet serenity of her external 
life, she knew what it was to wet her couch with 
bitter tears. Even to the last indeed the tempter 
assailed her, and forced her to offset his will with 
her own divinely strengthened resolution. 

"Yet it ought to be said with equal distinctness 
that all her struggles were consciously to herself 
those of a child of God. They did not effect the 
realization of her position in His family, nor inter- 
rupt her loving fellowship with the ' Father and 
with His son Jesus Christ. She dwelt in God and 
God in her; this was to her the most blissful of cer- 
tainties. It gave her courage, strength, and skill for 
the conflict, and became the assurance of glorious 
victory. It aided also in that appreciation of 
others' trials, and of the divine provision for relief 
which made her so wise and efficient as a counsellor 
and friend. To it was largely due the generous 
love and unfailing charity which as an atmosphere 
pervaded all her relations to the world. 

"It was the secret spring of her rare unselfishness. 
By that she held herself at the beck of her heavenly 
Father, equally ready, as He willed, to go or stay, 
to do or to suffer, to stretch forth or to withold her 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 309 

hand, to act or to wait. It was no less character- 
istic of her intercourse with people; often a severer 
test than the divine relationship. Her's was dis- 
tinctively a pioneer work; and she had in large 
measure the inventive and organizing faculties re- 
quisite for that. She was always reaching out after 
the as yet unattempted good. She was an en- 
thusiast in new, better methods. This was both 
illustrated and developed in her work as teacher 
at Mackinaw and Chicago, her varied services at 
Green Bay, her laborious army life, her later edu- 
cational efforts at Brownsville, her undying mis- 
sionary zeal and her support of the temperance 
and every other reformatory movement. But in 
all these the special feature of her work, too in- 
frequent among philanthropists, was its unselfish- 
ness. Not only would she work with others but 
under them, if need be; even as their servant, in 
this too resembling her Master. She was willing to 
toil on in laying foundations, or building up some 
fair structure of Christian service; equally ready, 
when a competent successor was prepared to give 
over the prosperous undertaking, while she herself, 
with unabated zeal turned to other projects or 
more needy fields. It was the service, not the 
emoluments or the name which enlisted her ener- 
gies. No words would seem more fit for expressing 
the spirit in which she wrought, than those which 



310 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

the Master uses when making over His honors to 
the disciples; 'the works which I do shall ye do 
and greater works than these shall ye do. ' 

"This simple unselfishness surrounded her life 
with a peculiar charm. It stole upon you like 
some delicate perfume. Only gradually did you 
realize the secret of her winsomeness. Indeed it 
was a growing, and a sweet surprise at every step 
of your acquaintance. 

"What has now been said may throw some light 
upon her unusual attainments in the knowledge 
as well as in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Her native endowments of an intellect clear, keen, 
and vigorous, doubtless furnished a natural basis 
for this. The instrument must need be of superior 
quality which was designed for a work so great and 
laborious. That intellect morever was carefully 
and wisely trained. But this does not explain her 
remarkable attainments in Christian knowledge. 
It might perhaps have enabled her to grasp the 
forms of doctrine; but the chief excellence of her 
theology was that it had come to her throbbing 
with the life of God, as the word of her Heavenly 
Father, and all alive with the spirit of the gospel. 
She was wont to speak of herself as a little child 
needing to be taught. And this teaching rather 
than her own reasonings was the source of her en- 
lightenment. All her studies were carried on as un- 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 311 

der the eye, and with the aid of the Great Teacher, 
she had absolute confidence in His wisdom, what- 
ever He choose to tell her she gratefully re- 
ceived. She wanted His thought, and she trusted 
Him for the form; where His revelation stopped, 
she halted biding His time for advance. Thus her 
beliefs carried with them a certain divine authority. 
In her serene and loving utterance they won favor 
instead of opposition. Her words went home to 
the heart. They were not only true, but living 
truth. More than this they created the conviction 
of being the truth of God in her, truth on which 
she herself had fed, felt its virtue and proved its 
fitness for every sinner's need; what wonder then 
that to so many she became a spiritual mother? 
"Her perennial mental growth also thus becomes 
intelligible. She carried the child-spirit through 
life. She was never inflated with the pride of 
knowledge. To the end hers was the attitude of a 
learner. She was always asking her Heavenly 
Father for light upon His word or ways, and wel- 
comed every illustration of his wise and loving 
agency. Such a pupil could not be narrow. A 
verse often on her lips,"The works of the Lord are 
great, sought out of all that have pleasure therein," 
gave the key to her mental character. No work of 
God lay outside her sympathy, she loved them all. 
She studied them all. 



312 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

"Nature, providence and grace alike furnished 
fields of thought, natural scenery always charmed 
her. It was delightful to witness her pure and 
enthusiastic joy in the beauties of this favored 
spot. She was actively interested too in all the 
events of the day, and the movements among the 
nations. They concerned her because of their re- 
lations to the oncoming kingdom of her Master. 
For the same reason her distinctively religious 
thought never stagnated. She was always advanc- 
ing into broader and more truthful conceptions 
of Christian doctrine and life. And finally, her 
success in practical Christian work was largely due 
to the life which was behind and inspired it. Her 
happy thoughts and wise methods were God's reve- 
lation to His child. Many of them came to her 
upon her knees in prayer. How much of the wis- 
dom which went into her work in connection with 
the Sanitary commission originated thus, we may 
imagine even though it cannot be definitely 
known. 

"So this saintly woman lived and wrought for 
sixty years and more, a life of faith in Christ, a 
life of fellowship with Christ, a life of devotion to 
Christ Truly it was a precious offering which Eli- 
za Chappell made when rising from that sick-bed 
in early womanhood. Every advancing year as it 
made fresh demands upon that consecration, re- 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 313 

vealed more clearly both its worth and its complete- 
ness. Never for an instant, apparently, did she 
incline to recall it. She had made of her whole 
soul an offering to her Redeemer's name and she 
held to her purpose. Was it strange then that 
she who had so bravely wrought the will of God, 
should so triumphantly fall asleep. Her peace was 
no mystery; it was God's recognition of His child. 
An organic connection bound it to her past life. 
Again and again during the weeks, which followed 
her translation I seemed to hear the trembling 
accents of her sweet voice in that consecrated room. 

"He holds me while the billows smite; 
I shall not fall." 

And witnessing her victory over fate and death I 

know that her God both can and will keep those 

in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him, 

because they trust in Him. May be given to us 

all to prove it in our earthly course and in our 

passage hence to the Father's house on high, 

F. B. Perkins." 

"Santa Barbara, 

January 2ist, 1888." 

Remarks at Close of Sermon by Rev. Arthur 
Little, D. D., January 22, 1888. 

Text: In quietness and confidence shall be 
your strength. — ha. 30: 15. 



314 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

"The train of thought presented this morning 
was suggested to my mind, while thinking of the 
life and career of Mrs. Jeremiah Porter, who on 
New Year's day awakened satisfied with her Mas- 
ter's likeness. How much of that likeness she 
bore here! 

"As I have been accustomed to see her occasion- 
ally, during the past ten years, the language in 
which Victor Hugo, describes a saintly character 
may well have been applied to her. 'What was 
thinness in her youth had become in her maturity 
transparency; and through this transparency the 
angel could be seen. She seemed to be a shadow, 
there was hardly enough body for a sex to exist; 
she was a little quantity of matter, containing a 
light, an excuse for a soul to remain upon the 
earth.' 

"Now, what is the story of this woman whose 
frail body seemed scarcely strong enough to be the 
dwelling place of such a flaming spirit? In her 
girlhood almost, she is found Bible in hand, out 
on the frontier, beyond the limits of civilization, 
working for Christ. And so through all the years 
of a long and eventful life, always in the hard 
places, — places of risk, exposure, fatigue, action, 
service; a very aggressive life, and a life of pro- 
found Christian experiences. It was said at her 
funeral that there were chapters in her life akin to 
these of Madam Guyon. 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 315 

"This most remarkable and useful life illustrates 
the two hemispheres of the well rounded globe of 
Christian character — the meditative and the active, 
the mystic and the aggressive. She was very active, 
because she was very thoughtful and meditative; 
she was aggressive, because she was lifted into 
those high altitudes of experience that border upon 
holy ecstacy, or visions of God, apocalypses, be- 
atific visions. She was quietly, continuously per- 
sistent in well doing, because she was much of the 
time quietly waiting upon God. She was outward- 
ly active, because she was inwardly at peace. She 
was much with others in Christian service, because 
she was much alone with her Saviour, she gave 
out much, because she took in much, because she 
was much, she could not help doing, because it 
was not she but Christ who dwelt in her. 

"She always found avenues of service, because 
she had no will of her own in the matter, but held 
herself obedient to His will. There was much fruit 
brought to perfection, because the branch was kept 
in vital union with the vine. Sitting much at the 
Master's feet, learning the Master's will, she could 
not be held back from energetic engagement in 
His service. She probably thought little about 
results, but much about pleasing Him, and obeying 
the impulse of a loving heart, results were inevit- 
able. 



316 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

'There are in this loud, stunning tide 

Of human care and crimes, 
With whom the melodies abide 

Of the everlasting chimes. 
Who carry music in their heart 
Through dusky lane and wrangling mart, 
Plying their daily task with busier feet, 
Because their secret souls a lowly strain re- 
peat.' 

"The aggressiveness of faith, the aggressivness of 
prayer, the aggresiveness of a holy life, the ag- 
gressiveness of goodness, of Christlikeness. 
'The love of Christ constraineth me.' 
•For me to live is Christ.' 
'When I am weak, then am I strong. ' 
'I can do all things through Christ which strength- 
ened me.' 

'Poor, yet making many rich; having nothing 
yet possessing all things.' 
'Dying and behold we live. ' 
'Dead unto the world, alive unto God. ' 
"This life of Mrs. Porter seemed to illustrate all 
the paradoxes of the Christian faith, all the beati- 
tudes, all the promises. 

"The Bible translated and transmuted into a 
human life, consecrated, vitalized, and then, from 
the alembic of a great experience, freely given to 
others — that is genuine aggressiveness in Christian 
service. Expect to see that life not in the circle 
of gaiety, not in the places of fashion, but out in 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 317 

the hard, exposed places where souls are dying of 
spiritual starvation. 

"How Mrs. Porter's crown now sparkles! 'They 
that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the 
firmament, and they that turn many to righteous- 
ness as the stars forever and ever. ' Do you covet 
her crown ? She did not aim for a crown. She bore 
the cross, and the crown was placed by attending 
angels on her conquering brow." 

"Beloit, Wis., Jan. 2nd, 1888 
"Dear Cousin: — 

"We thank you most heartily for your thoughtful 
remembrance of us in your letters and telegrams. 
We find now that we did build much hope on your 
Mother's remarkable recuperative power, and we 
did so want she should stay till Henry and Bessie 
and the dear children should see the dear face and 
feel the touch of the tender mother love. And so, 
since the first word came Saturday morning, we 
have not ceased to pray most earnestly that she 
might be kept a little longer on this side the river; 
and all the while we tried to say that it would be 
all right, whatever God might appoint. We knew 
that her true home was on the other side; but the 
children and your father and all of us, what were 
we to do without her? Such a reverent, deep ten- 
der love have we cherished in our hearts for your 
mother and father. The grace of God and the 



318 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

home in heaven always seemed nearer and more 
real when they were here. And now this beautiful, 
saintly life begins its New Year, I was going to say 
amid new surroundings, but I do not know of any 
who would feel more at home there. It is her 
home. She has lived there long, and caught much 
of its spirit. We shall miss her. Will she miss us? 
Will she not rather be so near, in the new freedom 
of the new life, so that her thoughtful, loving care 
for those she leaves will be fully satisfied with its 
larger opportunties for ministering to them ? Well, 
we do not know. But we will remember ever with 
a grateful love the life prolonged fourscore years; 
filled full with loving thoughts, and gracious words 
and kindly acts, and helpful ways that have en- 
riched and blessed more lives than we can tell, 
and have made her influence and her name a bene- 
diction. 

"I thank God again this morning that by His 
grace, such lives can be lived on earth. We do 
come very near to you. 

"You will kindly let us know the arrangements 
that may be made. 

"Your ever affectionate cousin, 

William Porter." 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 319 

"Chicago, Jan- ioth, 1888. 

2 957 Indiana Ave. 

"Rev. Jeremiah Porter, 

"My Dear Brother: — 

"I am requested by the session of the 
church which you founded more than forty-four 
years ago to express to you our deep and loving 
sympathy with you in the sorrow which has come 
to you, and to convey to you in some measure our 
appreciation of the worth and services of that rare 
and wonderful woman whom you wedded so long 
ago and whose Christian history is one of the 
brightest pages in the record of the last half cent- 
ury. 

"You know, even better than we, what a noble 
Christian heart beats no more on the shores of 
time, and what an abundant welcome she has re- 
ceived from the many whom she blessed here on 
earth and who now rejoice with her in glory. 

"May God give you continually of His richest 
comfort till His love shall place you by her side 
again. 

"In behalf of the session of the First Presbyte- 
rian church and with the warmest expression of 
love, regard and sympathy to you and your chil- 
dren, I am 

Yours affectionately, 

John H. Barrows, 

Pastor." 



320 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

" Be hit, Jan. 22nd, 1888. 
"My Dear Brother Porter: — 

"You do not need any comfort which I can 
offer. The grace of God which flowed so richly, so 
constantly, so blessedly over and through that long 
earthly life now finished, the effect of which was 
more manifest to you than to anybody else, that 
grace which triumphed in her translation to be 
with the trusted and loving Saviour where He is, 
and which is consumated in the unspeakable bliss 
of a new and better life begun — a life of perfect 
and unmarred union and communion with that 
Saviour which is to continue forever, that grace 
seems to envelope the person of her who has been 
taken away, when ever I recall it to mind, with 
a halo of brightness and glory, and how can we 
mourn? The recollection of her, suggests with a 
wonderful vividness and impressive force that de- 
claration divinely inspired, 'Blessed are the dead 
which die in the Lord' 'their works do follow 
them.' How rich was that life in the savor which 
it exhaled all along its way — a life evidently lived 
as Paul's was 'by the faith of the son of God who 
loved us and gave Himself for us.' Well I re- 
member the impression which I received the first 
time I met her, forty years ago. We ministers of 
Milwaukee had driven down to Southport for a 
meeting of our General Convention and having a 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 321 

vacant seat, invited Mrs. Porter to ride with us on 
our return. She did so and made herself in a very 
natural way the center of conversation. The sim- 
ple expression of her strong, unfaltering faith and 
the habit which had become a second nature to 
her, of considering all undertakings in a spirit of 
childlike trust, rather than in the light of circum- 
stances or probabilities were very striking and gave 
a new aspect to the work of the ministery then 
recently begun by me. I am conscious of a bene- 
fit from that conversation running thro' all my 
life. In all my subsequent interviews with her, 
the same qualities have seemed to characterize 
her. How signally that faith sustained her through 
the wonderful activities and manifold achievements 
of her career on earth. In the delightful memories 
of her Christian devotion, it is your privilege to 
have her still with you. God gives you this rich 
consolation. May you find it an abiding support. 
"Then for the sense of loneliness which must at 
times come over you, the same grace of God, which 
so nerved and steadied and soothed her spirit will 
bring you needed and timely relief. Christ will 
reveal himself a companion in place of her who has 
been withdrawn and will lead you by the same 
way which she went, the way which He opened to 
the same haven of bliss. I cannot ask that God 
will hasten the passage, but I do fervently pray 



322 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

that He will so lighten and cheer the way that 
you shall have no sense of weariness or of impa- 
tience, while you rejoice in the blessed attractions 
of the Christian's hope, for your children's sake 
and for the Master's sake, be content to linger 
with us yet a few good years longer. 

"It was a pleasure to me to be in Chicago, and 
to join with others in such tokens of respect and 
regard as we could show to the remains of our 
dear one, beloved and sainted. 

Affectionately your brother, 

A. L. Chapin." 
"My Dear Friends: 

"This 17th day of January I must write. Would 
that I and Mrs. S. might sit with you in silence, 
while a large number, yet a small proportion of the 
friends, are in the Memorial services at Chicago. 
How the ends of the earth are in one accord to- 
day. You with some truly sympathizing hearts 
on the Pacific Coast, Henry and family with true 
sympathizing spirits in China. Then here, in our 
church that has enjoyed so much from her and 
you, and the whole family of interested ones north 
and south, east and west in America and in so 
many of the missionary fields round the globe. 
We all are drawn nearer the throne because her 
brave heart was ever inspiring fresh assurance of 
the victories being, and to be, achieved. There is 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 323 

a grand fitness in her going first as respects this world 
wide family. Her entrance into the presence of the 
King, echoes to us all the ringing cheer He gave so 
long ago, 'I have overcome ' Yes blessed glorious 
fact. She has overcome all. She began the victories 
over herself. She went on conquering as a teacher, 
as a pioneer , as a Home missionary, as a mother, then 
up and down the land in churches north, and chur- 
ches south With soldiers and with freedmen, in hos- 
pitals and barracks, in homes, Sabbath schools and 
churches, everywhere inspiring and achieving victory 
over sin, unbelief and Satan. Such victories has she 
wrought through her children in the churches in 
America and on the Foreign Fields. No Joan of Arc 
has like her led a steady campaign for 80 years of 
victory. None but a Christian, and she filled daily 
with the sacred oil of God's almighty spirit. 
Verily she was ready to complete all in conquering 
the last enemy, and the garland is her's. Oh! for 
a double portion of that spirit on us all. While 
the crown is already on her brow. 

'Immauel's seal of righteousness and love 
And everlasting joy upon her head.' 

"Mrs. Smith sends sincerest regards and we 

both at once sympathize with you and rejoice in 

the victory by her achieved. May the same in 

due time be yours, and ours. 

Very truly and fraternally, 

Moses Smith." 



324 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"Gorham, Me., Nov. I2th y 1888. 
"My Dear Friend, Mr. Porter: — 

"In the months which have passed since Mrs. 
Porter went from earthly presence to the heavenly 
home, my heart has often prompted me to write 
you, not to comfort you, for you have no need of 
that but to express a sense of personal loss, and 
my appreciation of the wonderful symetry of the 
character of your dear one and to tell you some 
of the things which come to me as pictures of her 
in days gone. 

"When I first saw Mrs. Porter, now over thirty 
years ago she was in that period of life when all 
its present burdens press the heaviest. 

"Some of her family were young and all where 
much thought and earnest care and even many 
steps were needed, but I well remember I often 
wondered that she never seemed burdened by her 
own cares. It does not seem to me that she ever 
spoke of them. Those years in the Edwards Church 
must have been of great trial, but she never show- 
ed it. She possessed that wonderful quality of 
'A heart at leisure from itself 
'To soothe and sympathize.' 

"In those years I was often at the home on Hal- 
sted Street, and I never saw anything but perfect 
peace of heart and manner. I have often thought 
of it in these later years, as I passing through this 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 325 

same period of care. It seems to me as I look at 
those days that everything was done at home that 
needed to be, for as the wife and mother she was 
the heart and soul of her home, and yet everything 
outside too. I know she went to the prayer-meet- 
ings, sewing-circles, visited the sick and poor, and 
always she carried with her that same atmosphere 
of peace. 

"And too those were the days of sickness and 
death. How calm you all were. The precious 
older daughter and the sweet little Robbie both 
went home where she has found them. I wonder 
if you remember a scene which has always been 
fixed upon my memory, when one Sabbath after- 
noon you received to the Church visible a young 
man. There, in his room as the afternoon faded 
away, a communion service was held. You and 
Mrs. Porter and James, (I think,) my father and 
mother and I were there, and there may have been 
others. As we were leaving Mrs. Porter said to 
the sick one, "If you reach heaven before I do, 
give our salutations to Lottie and tell her to be wait- 
ing to open the door of heaven for me, ' And after 
thirty years even tho' you must all grieve for her, 
you can but rejoice that she can see again the chil- 
dren who must have been waiting for her. 

"Then in 'War Time' how she came to see us 
and told of what she had seen, but never one word 



32G ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

of how her own family were broken up scattered, 
of what joy it would be to gather them all together 
again, but always of His work. 

"And again I see her as the years pass on and as 
I arrange her hair a little, for she was one to whom 
it was a pleasure to give little personal attentions, 
she spoke of how she had missed M. doing such 
things for her but added 'Heaven is as near to 
China as to Texas.' So she has lived, always ready 
for the summons, always in her very peace and by 
the presence of Christ in her ever more than by 
word (tho' she never failed there) the bringing to 
others the Saviour in whom she rested. 
"Yours Affectionately, 

Mary L. Huntington." 
" Sherwood, Tenn., Feb. i^.th, 1888. 
"Rev. Jeremiah Porter, D. D., 
"Dear Friend: — 

"We have seen in several papers a notice of Mrs. 
Porter's death, and have received from Chicago 
one of the chaste and beautiful cards sent out from 
there to inform friends of her departure. We can 
however hardly make it seem possible that she has 
gone from earth. In truth she has not gone, for 
the spirit and influence of God's saints remain al- 
ways, to cheer and comfort those who remain. 

"Surely it isso with her. That sweet, gentle spirit, 
which for four score years made the earth brighter 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 327 

and better, still dwells as a gracious benediction 
among us all. If ever there was a saint on earth, 
surely she was one, with all the elements of saint- 
hood. If ever there was a long life spent unselfish- 
ly and helpfully, 'doing good as she had opportun- 
ity, ' surely this was one. How many kind words, 
how many gentle yet powerful and stimulating ut- 
terances, how many modest, unobtrusive, self for- 
getful actions of kindness and Christian love are 
loaded as fruits of the tree of life, upon the boughs 
of those eighty years, reaching out with their shade 
and shelter and comfort and fruitfulness, into the 
North, South, East and West. 

"They are truly immortal fruits, not subject to 
the law of decay as the earthly fruits and vegetables 
are. Such 'fruits of the Spirit' have in them the 
seeds of eternity; and though the kindly lips may be 
closed, and the helpful, ministering hands, be laid 
to rest, the seeds will still live, growing and 
fruiting in many human hearts, untii the angels 
shall sing 'Harvest Home. ' 

"It is no extravagant praise nor exaggerated en- 
corium to say that I have never known another 
human life so full oi constant labor and love and 
ministry for so long a time. Those eventful eighty 
years, so full of wonderful things in God's provi- 
dential rule, surely ought to go upon the records 
of history. The memoir of Mrs. Porter ought to 



328 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

be published as a speaking memorial of her Chris- 
tian life, to encourage and stimulate other hearts. 
Your Fellow Worker for the Master, 

Stanley E. Lathrop." 

"Sharpsdale, Feb. 12th, 1888. 
"My Dear J. 

"Your loving letter was brought yesterday. How 
much your great bereavement differs from the 
many — many sad ones. 

"Just now I think of it as a shadow yet a won- 
derfully thin one, through which the hallowed out- 
lines of the saintly one are very plain. The many 
words of loving sympathy have not escaped the 
eyes of Martha or me. What a broad horizon 
the loved one had!' 

"And one idea came to me as I sat reading Dr. 
Barrows' truthful and tender tribute. Not one 
single overdrawn comment can be made of her. 
From the first, like the never changing star of 
the north, her faith never changed. 

"In all my acquaintance, I know no other, who 
seemed to me so completely tempered by the 
spirit of the meek and lowly one. One who under 
all circumstance, whether on the tented field, amid 
the shriek of the bursting shell, or surrounded by 
some loving group, a praying circle ever the same. 

" Tempered, that is the word, like a splendid 
piece of metal that fears the edge of nothing hard 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 329 

or soft. And I was so fortunate as to know her, 
well, and love her, and even to be loved by her. 
How few have such great cause to be thankful! 

"Yes, my dear we will sit down in some very 
quiet place and together read her last heavenly 
words, and with the love which is part of her 
sweet self, tell over the wonderful story of her life. 

"One of the pleasantest things of any which I 
can think of was, that your precious mother came 
and occupied our little shebang at Larkinsville. 
It was worth all my time and service to get such 
a blessed visitor as that. 

"Surely the good lives after the saints such as 

she are gone. I weep with you and am always. 

Your loving, 

H. T. Chappell." 

"Beloit, Wis., 15th, 1888. 
"Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Porter, 

"Honored and Dearly Beloved Sir: — 

"Pres. Chapin informs us that the word 
has come, that he and Prof. Porter are to go and 
join those who will lay to rest the mortal remains 
of one whose influence will live over all the earth to 
which the sunlight comes for twelve hours after it 
has looked upon her resting place. From the St. 
Mary's to the Rio Grande, from St. Augustine to 
Pekin, the atmosphere is sweeter and purer be- 
cause her spirit has been there. 



330 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"What a holy privilege has been yours for half a 
century to share that influence. We that were 
round about do not envy you; we do not envy your 
children. We bless the good Lord that permitted 
you to live in that halo of light, and to contribute 
by words and works of loving kindness, and yet 
more by that loving kindness itself, to that love, 
joy and peace, which we have seen filling that life, 
so intent and yet so serene, and the memory of 
which now hangs so invitingly over the Gates of 
Pearl. We think thankfully how that memory 
will join with the loving offices of children and 
friends to bless your remaning days, and we pray 
that for us all there may be a like abundant en- 
trance. 

"We remain with most affectionate sympathy 

and respect. 

Most sincerely yours, 

Joseph Emerson." 

"Melrose, Mass., Feb. 3rd, 1888. 
"My Dear Mr. Porter: 

"The announcement of Mrs. Porter's departure 
has awakened within me a throng of tender mem- 
ories. I recall all that she was in the dark days 
of the war, and remember the sweet patience, the 
uniform gentleness and untiring diligence that char- 
acterized her, as if the whole of my acquaintance 
with her were a thing of yesterday. 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 331 

"What a power she was in the hospitals. The 
poor fellows turned their pallid faces to hers, in 
dumb beseeching, which was speedily supplanted 
by a look of hope and trust. How many of them 
have welcomed her, when she entered the immor- 
tal life. How many received from her the only 
Christian ministrations they ever knew, and were 
won, by her motherly kindness, to a comprehen- 
sion of the love of the Infinite, who is to the world 
not only the Infinite Father, but the Infinite mother 
also. 

"It seems to me that her biography, like that of 
our Lord, may be condensed into one phrase 'she 
went about doing good. ' I knew her chiefly and 
best during the war. But I do not forget that her 
war record was but one chapter in her useful life, 
which was filled to the utmost with love to God 
and man. For such as she there is no death. 
'What seems so is transition. ' She carried so 
much of heaven with her, that I can hardly con- 
ceive of any change being necessary to her feeling, 
or the law of her life, when she exchanged earth 
for heaven. 'She bowed her head at passing out, 
we think and straight way found herself within 
another chamber of the King, larger than this, and 
lovelier. ' 

"My dear Mr. Porter, I will not mock you with 
any words of consolation. The separation between 



332 ELIZA CHAPPELL PUKTbK 

you and the beloved wife of many years will not 
be long. Both you and I are nearing the low gate- 
way which swings outward once for every human 
being and there you will be reunited. For, God 
keeps a niche in heaven to shrine our idols. 

'And albeit he breaks them to our faces, 

And denies that our close kisses should impair 

their white, 
I know we shall behold them raised complete. 
Glorified and singing in the great God-light.' 

With tender sympathy, Yours truly, 

Mary A. Livermore." 

"Oakland, Cal. y Feb. ioth, 1888. 
"My Dear Mr. Porter: 

"Mr. B. with his wonted thoughtful- 
ness, has sent me tidings of the loss which has 
come to you and all of us, and also your address, 
thus enabling me to write you. 

"And I am trying to realize that your lovely 
wife walks this earth no more. Again and again 
her sweet face comes before me, bringing with it 
the loveliest memories of her gentle presence, and 
her tender Christian character. She was a beauti- 
ful woman, one of the King's daughters, all glorious 
within.' I cannot think of mourning for her; it 
would seem unfit. Nor, I am sure do you. She 
has gone to the home prepared for her, and only a 
little while before you and all of us go also. 



IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND CHARACTER 333 

"I wonder if a woman anywhere, ever did so 
much and went through so much as she did, and 
kept so gentle, so sweet, and so tender. 

Yours Always, 
Sarah Edward Henshaw." 

"Northfield, Jan. i6th y 1888. 
Dear Cousin: — 

"Often since the day bringing tidings of 
the sweet saints translation have our thoughts 
reverted to early days and the blessed memories 
of her presence and spirit. That her meek, yet 
truthful soul had an abundant entrance upon the 
everlasting glories who can doubt?. Such sim- 
ple majestic faith as hers I don't think I have ever 
met, or at least felt as she made me feel it. What 
a benediction her life has been, and to how many. 
She was, as Tennyson says, 'Interpreter between 
Gods and men, 

'Who looked all native to her place, and yet 
On tiptoe seemed to touch upon a sphere 
Too gross to tread. ' 

"In the world she was, as so many knew to 
their comfort, yet not at all of it, so sweetly sep- 
arate; and now her life, so far as earth goes, is 
rounded out, her memory imperishable, and her 
works do follow her. 

"For you, dear cousin, as for all her children may 
I not add. from the same passage as above, 



334 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

'Happy he with such a mother; faith in woman- 
kind beats with his blood, and truth in all things 
high comes easy to him. ' How you will all miss 
her, for a little while, even tho' she leaves a herit- 
age so rich and precious that it will last thro' all 
your pilgrimage, until you meet her again within 
'the gates of day, ' and in His blessed presence. 

"We commend you all to our Father, the God 
of all comfort. 

Very Truly Yours, 

E. M. & A. T. Williams. " 



APPENDIX 

IN MEMORIAM 

ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 
>ET80. 

Funeral services at the New England Congregational 
Church, Chicago, Illinois. 

The funeral services of the late Eliza Chappell Porter, 
wife of the Rev. Jeremiah Porter, D. D., were held at The 
New England Congregational Church, January 17, 1888. 
Mrs. Porter died at Santa Barbara, California, where the 
venerable clergyman, her husband, is now residing in fee- 
ble health, which prevented him from accompanying the 
remains to Chicago. 

The impressive services were conducted by Pastor Ar- 
thur Little and were participated in by Rev. E. F. Wil- 
liams, D. D. Pres. F. W. Fisk and the Rev. Dr. 
John H. Barrows. 

After the reading of the selections from the word of 
God, Pastor Little said : " I do not now recall any cler- 
gyman whose life has been so much identified with the 
active life of Chicago as that of our brother, Doctor Fisk, 
and it is ver3~ fitting that he should speak some words to 
us on this occasion. 

Professor Fisk made the following remarks: 

The outward events of an earthly life at the longest 
may be soon recounted ; and though perhape few women 
have lived so busy and varied a life as the dear friend 

335 



336 ELIZA CHAP PELL POKTbR 

whose beloved form lies before us, yet the external history 
of her life may be given in a few words. Born at Gene- 
seo, New York, the 5th of November, 1807, of parents of 
Huguenot and Pilgrim descent, and given as liberal an ed- 
ucation as her frail health would permit, Miss Eliza 
Chappell at the age of 22 years, went at the invitation of 
Mr. Robert Stuart, Agent of the American Fur Company, 
to Mackinaw to establish on that Island a school for 
young children. Three years later, in June, 1833, she ac- 
companied Major Wilcox and family to Chicago, and in 
the following September opened a school — the first taught 
here — in a rude log house near the Military Reservation. 
In January following this school was removed into the 
little building of the First Presbyterian Church, that had 
just before been organized in Fort Dearborn by the Rev. 
Jeremiah Porter. 

"This school, greatly prospering under Miss Chappell's 
administration, she soon opened another for young 
ladies, especially for those intending to teach, and thus 
she was the teacher of the first normal training in Chi- 
cago. 

" On the 15th of June, 1835, she was married to the Rev. 
Jeremiah Porter and entered with joy on her new duties 
as the wife of the pastor of the only church in Chicago. 
How efficiently, and with what loving ministrations she 
performed her duties and in the successive pastorates of 
her husband at Peoria, and Green Bay for nearly twenty 
years, and over the Edwards Church in this city, and at 
Prairie du Chien, those who knew her well in these vari- 
ous relations bear abundant testimony. 

"Early in our civil war Mr. and Mrs. Porter proffered 
their services to the cause and became, the one, Chaplain 
of the First Illinois Light Artillery, of which their son 
James was a member ; the other a most efficient agent 
of the sanitary commission. How faithfully and efficient- 
ly they labored throughout the war, reaching and minis- 



APPENDIX 337 

taring to the sick, the wounded and the dying, alike to 
friend and foe, will be recounted by our friend, Dr. Bar- 
rows, who will also give the details of Mrs. Porter's 
early life and labors and of her last hours. In the Au- 
tumn following* the close of the war Mr. and Mrs. Por- 
ter went to the Rio Grande, one as the agent of the chris- 
ian commission, the other in the service of the sanitary 
commission, to labor among the troops stationed at Ft. 
Brown. There they were as busy and happy as ever, 
preaching and teaching, having opened a school in the 
building known as the Rio Grande Female Institute, 
which had been erected by Miss Rankin, but closed dur- 
ing the war. There Mrs. Porter, with the enthusiasm of 
her early years as a teacher did most efficient service. 
Thus, in the words of her husband, they 'sowed beside all 
waters,' preaching and teaching until April, 1866. They 
w^ere then recalled by their respective commissions, and, 
having made provision for the continuance of the school, 
returned to their northern home. A few months later 
found them at Prairie du Chien, where for two years Mr. 
Porter, aided by such a wife as few pastors ever had, dis- 
charged with useful enthusiasm his duties as pastor of 
the Congregational Church in that place. But soon 
through the urgent solicitations of friends both at the 
North and at the South, Mr. and Mrs. Porter were in- 
duced to return to Brownsville, Texas, Mr. Porter, under 
a commission from the American Home Missionary So- 
ciety to re-build the waste places, while Mrs. Porter, with 
the aid of two lady teachers who accompanied them, was 
to have charge of the seminary formerly under her care. 
In addition to his duties as pastor, Mr. Porter also acted 
as Chaplain of the troops at Ft. Brown. 

"This led to his appointment by the Senate on the rec- 
ommendation of President Grant, to a Chaplaincy in the 
Regular Army in 1870. Having made suitable provision 
for her school, Mrs. Porter accompanied her husband to 



338 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

Ft. Sill in the Indian Territory to which he was ordered 
as Chaplain. There they labored two years with the 
colored troops preaching and teaching a day school for 
children and an evening school for colored soldiers. But 
the climate and her self-sacrificing labors for others made 
such inroads upon Mrs. Porter's health that in February 
1876, Mr. Porter was, at his own request transferred to 
the Chaplaincy at Ft. Russell, near Cheyenne, Wyoming 
Territory. Mrs. Porter, though enfeebled in body, yet 
with characteristic fortitude and courage, accompanied 
her husband in the long journey. 

"Mr. Porter was retired from service by Act of Con- 
gress in 1882, and thereafter they made their home with 
their son Edwards in Detroit. In order to escape the se- 
verity of our Northern climate they spent their winters 
mostly at the South, still busy in preaching and teaching 
as Providence opened the way. While among us also 
they were no less intent on doing the Master's business. 
They had in advanced years given their only daughter, 
Mary, and their youngest son, Henry, to missionary 
work in China. They had devoted no small part of their 
lives to missionary labors at home, and they would spend 
their last years in the same blessed service. Their occa- 
sional presence among us has been to us all I am sure a 
benediction. The delightful reception given them by our 
National Council at its recent session in this city evinced 
the affectionate and reverential regard which for their 
works they were held among all our churches. Their 
Christian sympathies and prayers and labors took in the 
world. In a message to the women of Wisconsin engaged 
in the work of home missions, Mrs. Porter, last autumn, 
sent a most inspiring appeal urging them to be strong 
and of good courage, and to remember the last promise 
of the Lord: 'Lo! I am with you alway, eA r en unto the 
end.' Then after quoting several promises of Divine help 
she closed her message with these words : 'Surely these 



APPENDIX 339 

promises arc enough. Let us take hold upon them and 
do with our might what our hands find to do; for, be- 
hold, the bride-groom eonieth.' 

"To the Woman's Board of Missons of the Interior, 
Mrs. Porter's words and prayers were no less an aid and 
an inspiration. Her strong faith and wise councils im- 
parted strength and courage. 'She was,' says one of the 
officers, 'a guide, moving on in advance and almost with- 
in the gates of the other world, sending back messages 
which she heard there.' 

"Says another, 'of her admonitions; two were with us 
continually, in our hearts and on our lips.' They were, 
'Plan great things.' 'Whatsoever he saith unto you, do 
it.' How characteristic of that dear woman. 'Whatso- 
ever he saith unto you, do it.' As a mark at once of their 
appreciation of such a helper and of their loss of such a 
friend, they requested that they be allowed to receive the 
remains on their arrival in the city and to care for them 
until this hour ; and also that they be permitted as a 
body to attend this service with the family. 

"As we glance over the remarkable life of this sainted 
woman, our first thought is: 'How much she accom- 
plished in her four score 3*ears ; so full of service and self- 
sacrificing labors in so many different directions. How 
was she able to do so much in such afrailbody? Because 
she did it from the heart, and in loving service for the 
Master. When the heart is in the work, duties become 
privileges. Thus it was that she was able to do such a 
marvelous work in hospitals during the war. When I 
asked her how it was possible for her to endure the sight 
of so much suffering and of closing the eyes in death of 
hundreds of our soldiers— I think they amounted to about 
a thousand in number, if I remember aright— she replied 
that she never once thought of herself, but ministered to 
the suffering ones as if they were her own sons. 

"But with all her tenderness of heart and gentleness of 



340 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

spirit, she possessed remarkable firmness and tenacity of 
purpose. Firmly grounded in Christian doctrine and 
principle, she would like the willow bend to adverse 
winds while remaining steadfast and unyielding in prin- 
ciple. She was also remarkable for her joy in the Lord. 
Naturally of a sunny disposition, Grace had so wrought 
upon her nature that her life grew daily into a joyfulness 
and serenity that no changes and afflictions could disturb. 
She had been often chastened of the Lord, but the chas- 
tisements had wrought in her the peaceable fruits of right- 
eousness. Three little ones they had laid to rest at Green 
Bay ; and here while with the Edwards Church they were 
called within a few days to part, first, with their little 
Robert, and then with their daughter, Charlotte, just 
blooming into a beautiful womanhood. As I stood with 
them in their home and gazed with them upon the lovely 
features of their departed daughter, I was amazed at the 
joyful serenity and sweet resignation of those parents. 

"Thus blessing and being blessed in her husband, in her 
family, and in her work, carrying with her light and joy 
wherever she went, she awaited the change which in the 
course of nature she knew conld not be far distant. She 
goes in the autumn to the land of flowers, and there sur- 
rounded with every comfort, ministered to by her de- 
voted husband and her daughter, she awaited the last 
earthly change. It was not long in coming. Her last 
letter was to her son in this city, and closed with the 
word 'rest' ; so expressive of her own abiding rest in the 
Lord. 

"Her life was filled with busiest activities, yet always 
full of rest, because in the depths of her own being she 
had the peace of God that passeth all understanding fill- 
ing heart and mind ; a peace that was soon to end in 
bliss. 

"Early on the Sabbath morning of the New Year, with 
fullest trust in her Saviour, whom she had faithfully and 



APPENDIX 341 

joyfully served from her childhood, calmly bidding adieu 
to her beloved husband beside whom she had walked in 
loving sympathy for more than half a century, she gently 
fell asleep in Jesus. She had walked with God and was 
not, for God had taken her. What a legacy of prayers 
and fragrant memories will come from such a life to hus- 
band, daughter, sons and other relatives ! It would seem 
as if the very Heavens had been opened to us, and in the 
light of its glories we had seen how beautiful is a life that 
is hid with Christ in God. 

May the blessings of God the Father the Son and 
the Spirit descend upon these sorely afflicted ones, and 
though widely separated over land and main, may they 
be gathered after faithful service for the Master, a re- 
united family in His blessed presence where is fullness of 
joy evermore. 

Rev. John H. Barrows then made the following re- 
marks : * 

"This is an extraordinary scene; this was a remark- 
able life; the occasion which assembles us has unusual 
significance, and since the events which filled the eighty 
blessed years of Eliza Chappell Porter's pilgrimage from 
earth to heaven would require a volume for adequate 
treatment. 

"I shall at this time summon you only to a general 
panoramic view of her prolonged and beautiful Christian 
career. No worthier book could be added to the mission- 
ary literature of the nineteenth century than one which 
should tell the story of this beneficent life. When you 
recall the changes and the progress which those four- 
score years have witnessed, remembering that the neigh- 
borhood of Rochester, New York, where her youth was 
spent was then a wild frontier country, and that she looked 
her last on the land she served and loved three thousand 
miles to the westward, amid the refinements of civilization 
on the Pacific shore ; when you recall that this life with 



342 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

her husband's touched so many regions of the Great 
West at strategic points and critical times; when you 
ponder the meaning of the historic fact that the hand 
which is enclosed in this casket helped to lay the intel- 
lectual and spiritual foundations of all that is noblest in 
the life of a city, now hastening toward a million in pop- 
ulation, and with incalculable shaping power over the 
life of half a score of majestic commonwealths; when 
you think how fully Mrs. Porter's various ministries as 
teacher and pastor's wife represent to us at their best the 
home missionary enthusiasm and consecration which are 
the life and the Spiritual glory of the Mississippi Valley ; 
when you realize the service she rendered to the armies 
which saved our Nationality and to the cause of Foreign 
Missions which has added new splendor to the Church of 
her Master, and when besides all this, you estimate 
rightly the modest, cheerful, unselfish and devoted spirit 
which entered into these many activities, you will thank 
God, as I do, that you have had some knowledge of one 
whose career of blessing weighs far more as an argument 
in favor of the Divine origin of Christianity than all the 
labored reasonings and bitter declamations of unbelief 
weigh against it. 

" We are not surprised to learn that into the life which 
we are reviewing, there flowed the best blood of the Hu- 
guenots and Pilgrims, and that the early influences which 
moulded her character were prophetic of a noteworthy 
future. One of a large family, subjected to frontier hard- 
ships increased by the death of her father when she was 
very young, Eliza Chappell was taught and loved by a 
devoted Christian mother. There was no indication 
from the beginning that hers was to be an easy, self-in- 
dulgent life, but all things pointed toward strenuous and 
and self-denying toil. But before she could enter on her 
life-work there came the discipline of long years of inval- 
idism, sometimes saying 'I have seen the Lord:' and 



APPENDIX 343 

there can be no doubt that the experiences of her young 
womanhood, which would read as one dear toll or writes, 
'like a chapter of Madame Guyon's life,' refined her spirit- 
ual perceptions, confirmed her Christian faith into an im- 
movable certainty and fitted her for the next great period 
of her development when she came under the influence of 
that greatest of modern preachers, the greatest, judged 
by the tangible results of his life visible to-day, I mean 
of course President Charles G. Finny. In 1829 and 
'30 we see her in Rochester, New York, laboring with this 
apostle in the revival which was the fountain of more 
other revivals than any other work of grace with which 
we have in this century been familiar. 

"From this time on her history is one succession of 
Christian labors, usually in frontier places, to which she 
often came at the most opportune time. This young sol- 
dier of Christ whose life was largely spent among soldiers 
is thenceforward busy at her Master's call in Mission- 
school and Fort and camp, difficult service through sixty 
years. We see her by the invitation of Robert Stuart, the 
partner of John Jacob Astor, establishing a school in the 
American Fur Company's Headquarters at Mackinac, and 
here she was first met by Rev. Jeremiah Porter, with her 
Bible in her hand. 

" Then we see her, in June, 1863, in the family of Major 
Wilcox at Fort Dearborn, a half mile from Avhere we are 
now assembled, opening a school in September in a little 
log house, outside the Military Reservation. This was 
afterward transferred to the first Presbyterian church of 
which she was an original member and to whose first 
pastor, Rev Jeremiah Porter she was married in 1835. To 
her school the first public appropriation was made, and 
as you well know she was the first in the great army of 
the public school teachers of Chicago. I know of nothing 
which in our age is more startlingly significant of the 
vastness and swiftness of the changes which have marked 



344 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

these wonderful times, than the fact that the hand which 
lies before us was laid in blessing on the heads of the 
first scholars of our city. It was a great joy to multi- 
tudes that nearly five years ago Mrs. Porter and her hus- 
band were with us at the celebration of fifty years of 
Church life in Chicago, and it was charateristic of them 
both that their exclamation over the marvelous growth 
of the half-contury was 'What God had wrought.' 

" In 1861, thirty -two years after Mrs. Porter had begun 
her Christian Missionary life, we see her entering the of- 
fice of the United States Sanitary Commission, in Chica- 
go, by the request of Judge Skinner, its President, and 
Mr. E. W. Blatchford, its Secretary. The next year we 
see Mr. D. L. Moody calling at Mr. Porter's house in Chi- 
cago with the news of his (Mr. Porter's) appointment as 
Chaplain in the army, where he served in the Regiment of 
Col. J. D. Webster, whose widow and some of whose sol- 
diers, are with us to-day, and from that time to the close 
of the war the history of our beloved and departed friend 
is the history of the tenderest ministrations to the sick 
and the wounded on the battle-field and in the hospital. 
Cairo, Mound City, Atlanta, Savannah, Newbern, these 
are some of the points which mark her life as a minister 
of charity to those who were so dear to her in that war, 
to which she not only gave a faithful husband a heroic 
son, but the absorbing devotion of her intensely patriotic 
and sympathetic heart. We are told that her hand 
closed the eyes of thirteen hundred soldiers in both ar- 
mies. I have read her diary for one month in 1864, and 
have been amazed at what she could undergo and live, 
and still more amazed at the constant hiding of herself 
in the modest record, and ascribing all praise to another. 
I cannot tell you how richly she earned the blessing of 
those ready to perish, but I would recall to you that in 
the winter of 1862 and 1863, this pioneer of pioneers in- 
stinctively foremost in humble service, was the teacher of 



APPENDIX 345 

the children of slaves in the first freedman's school-cabin 
erected in the Mississippi Valley. 

" The war ended in the victory of the cause so dear to 
her heart, and after twenty-one years of farther christian 
labor we see her lying on her sick bed in the land of fruits 
and flowers by the Western Sea in the house of a friend 
to whom she had become very dear through the render- 
ing of characterictic service in time of need. On Christ- 
mas morning last, she wrote to her son James of that 
day's 'hallowed association with Home, childhood, hus- 
band beloved, and children most dear.' She read over 
again on that day, in the beautiful form in which her son 
had sent it to her, the hymn we shall soon hear sung, 
'Abide with me,' and she wrote 'Fast Falls the Eventide, 
The Darkness Deepens,' but in Him who came on this 
glad Christmas day, 'a light to lighten the world,' there 
is no darkness. 'Even at evening time there shall be 
light.' 'And 'when he who is our life shall appear, we 
also shall appear with him.' 'We shall be like him.' 

" It was early in the morning of the first day of Janu- 
ary, 1888, that to her 'The new sun rose bringing in the 
New Year.' Rev. Dr. Porter writes to his sons of her tri- 
umphant faith during the seven days of great suffering 
when she who had done so much found it so sweet to lie 
passive in his hand and know no will not His, and re- 
lates that 'her doings were not what she alluded to as 
the ground of her joy but the fullness of the love and 
glory of Christ.' And the daughter writes of 'the tri- 
umph of the real life over the physical, which made the 
hours a long hymn of victory.' 'Solemnly, and with such 
belief in the possibility of happiness as one could only 
gain in the presence of such triumphant witness of the 
joy of the Lord we gave each other the greetings of the 
New Year.' And in a few hours 'the mortal was gone 
and immortality put on.' 

"It was well to sing 'Jerusalem the Golden' at the fu- 



346 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

neral service in Santa Barbara, for often had the closing 
words of Bernard of Cluny's mighty hymn rung out from 
her lips : 

" Exult, O dust and ashes 

The Lord shall be thy part, 
His only, His forever, 
Thou shalt be and Thou art." 

"As Dr. William Porter of Beloit College writes, 'Her 
true home was on the other side.' She who through two 
generations had toiled in the church militant, was at her 
ease in the church triumphant. And what a welcome on 
the New Year's morning was given her! The ear that 
had heard night after night the dreadful roar of artillery 
is listening to the peaceful hymns of immortality. The 
eye that had seen so much of human sorrow looks upon 
her Saviour and is satisfied. The head which had bowed 
in so many humble houses of worship now bends before 
the Great white Throne in the Temple of which the Lamb 
is the Light and God the Glory. And you friends who 
carry this precious body to the tomb, will surely say 
from the heart whenever you visit the last resting place 
of her mortality : 

" Within this lowly grave a Conquerer lies — 
She met the hosts of Sorrow with a look 
That altered not beneath the frown they wore ; 
Her soft hand put aside the assault of wrath 

And calmly broke in twain 

The fiery shafts of pain. 
And rent the nets of passion from her path. 
By that virtuous hand despair was slain. 

" With love she vanquished hate and overcame 
Evil with good in her great Master's name. 
Her glory is not of this shadowy state, 
Glory that with the fleeting season dies ; 



APPENDIX 34? 

But when she entered at the sapphire gate 

What joy was radiant in celestial eyes: 

How Heaven's bright depths with sounding welcome 

rung 
And flowers of Heaven by shining hands were flung — 

And He who long before, 

Pain, scorn and sorrow bore, 
The Mighty Sufferer with aspect sweet 
Smiled on the timid stranger from His seat. 



a message to the women of wisconsin 
By Mrs. Jeremiah Porter 

To the Dear Elect Ladies of this Society, and all who 
are co-workers with them in this blessed Home Mission- 
ary work: "Grace, Mercy and Peace from God our 
Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord." 

As I cannot in person meet you on this occasion I shall 
strive to be with you in spirit and rejoice in your order 
and the systematic manner in which you have entered 
upon work so important to your State, and listen to 
your reports as they testify of work well done. Needful 
work indeed! for is it not said, "If any provide not for 
his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath 
denied the faith, and is worse than aninfided?"— (1st Tim- 
othy, 5:8.) 

The causes which come before your eyes and mind to 
urge you to the most strenuous efforts in this work are 
so numerous and so broad that, taken up and classified, 
each might call ont an elaborate essay. I leave that to 
more skilful pens, while I would urge my sisters who hold 
this work so dear, to "Be strong and of good courage," 



348 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

(Deuteronomy, 31 :23) and to rest not until every hamlet, 
home, and lumber camp in Wisconsin has been reached 
with this blessed Gospel, which alone can purify the heart 
and overcome the world, so that no one reared in this 
grand State may have occasion truthfully to say, "No 
man cared for my soul" (Psa. 142:4). And while your 
right hand grasps your own Wisconsin, let your left reach 
out after the whole of our dear native land ; and your en- 
larged contributions and fervent prayers go out to other 
lands and meet the earnest cry which comes to us on 
every breeze, "Come over into Macedonia and help us! " 
(Acts 16:9). 

May not the Shunamite mother's love be wisely imi- 
tated when not one son only, but millions for whom 
Christ died are perishing? 

She called upon her husband to aid as she must go, and 
she could not be reasoned out of her faith as to time and 
place, and while not only her husband and servant, but 
the prophet also, wondered at the woman, she slacked 
not her riding until the work of saving her son was ac- 
complished. So, beloved, looking unto Jesus, may you 
gather strength as under the cross, and following the 
Marys to his open sepulchre hear him call your names, 
while He says to you, "Go tell my brethren that 1 am 
risen." (Mark 16). * 

As women of this day of the Lord, let us magnify our 
commission and claim that last promise, "Lo, I am with 
you alway, even to the end." (Matthew 17 :20). 

And now I turn for a moment to the past, and say for 
our encouragement, "Let us remember all the way the 
Lord our God hath led us for more than forty years in 
the wilderness." (Deut. 8:2). "Talk ye of all his won- 
drous work and let us exalt his name together." (IChron. 
16). 

Let us look upon the foundations in this State, laid in 
poverty and weakness but in faith and love, when such 



APPENDIX 349 

men as Clary, Peet and Curtis with their noble wives and 
many o+hers, "Chief women not a few," (Acts 17:4), 
"wrought in obscure places, making rough w r ays smooth 
and crooked places straight," [Luke 3:5] who "Out of 
weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight," 
[Heb. 11 :34] and when heart and flesh failed, entered into 
their closets and prayed to their Father in Heaven who 
seeth in secret ; and has he not rewarded openly ? [Matt. 
6:6]. 

Have we not a part of the answer in this Woman's 
Union, with its elected officers, and its organized efficient 
work, reaching out not only after Wisconsin's sons and 
daughters, but to the Freedmen, Chinese, Indians, and I 
trust, to strangers of all lands w T ho come under our flag 
for protection, and who find in your outreaching, Christ- 
ian love that "one half w r as not told them" [II Chron. 
9 :0] of what God is doing through the Christian women 
of this grand State? Those earnest prayers in humble 
homes and secret places in the early history of your State, 
even while a Territory, may have prevailed with Him 
who hears the cry of the needy, and who has brought 
good men and women from various portions of our own 
and other lands to unite their efforts to lay foundations 
for flourishing towns, churches, schools and colleges. 
Does not this all testify that He who has promised is 
faithful? From your your own State and such Christian 
homes have gone forth sons and daughters who stand 
to-day to give an open Bible to Mexico ; or toiling night 
and day for the Freedmen in our Southern land, or among 
the mountains, or on the plains of the far West, "Count 
it all joy to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus 
Christ" [II Tim. 2:3]. They have crossed the great ocean 
and in distant China and of other far off lands, those 
born and bred in this new State are proclaiming the love 
of God and "that the Son of Man hath power on earth 
to forgive sins" [Matt. 9:6] and "save to the uttermost 



350 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

all who believe in him." [Heb. 7:25]. 

The widowed mother's son! the widow's daughter! 
precious gifts ! God accepts the free-will offering, whether 
it be the first-born or the widow's two mites. 

As we thus glance at the past and feel the pressure of 
the present, let us thank God and courageously "devise 
liberal things," [Isa. 31:3] believing that "he that sow- 
eth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." [II Cor. 9:6]. 

And God, even your God shall do far more abundantly 
than you can even ask or think. 

Surely these promises are enough. Let us take hold 

upon them and do with our might what our hands find 

to do, [Eccl. 9:10] for "Behold, the bridegroom cometh" 

[Luke 25:6]. 

Yours in loving sympathy, 

E. C. P. 



RELATION TO WOMEN S BOARD OF MISSIONS OF THE 

INTERIOR 

"It seems fitting that in a memoir of Mrs. Porter, 
grateful mention be made of her love and service for the 
Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior by one who 
long knew her in the relations to that Board. 

"Her unaffected devotion to Christ's service, early con- 
secration to Missionary Work among the Indians and 
the gift of an only daughter to the work in China, pre- 
pared her, as at that time perhaps no other woman was 
prepared, to apprehend the need and wisdom of woman's 
organized work in giving the Gospel to the dark places 
of the earth. 

"With quick discernment she saw the hand of the 
Lord in the Genesis of the Board of the Interior and hast- 
ened to give to it a service full of earnest conviction, love 
and sacrifice. 



APPENDIX 351 

"Never obtrusive in her efforts, she was yet instant in 
season and out of season. At a time when others were 
doubting, questioning, and some criticising, she was 
serving and winning others to the same confidence and 
loyalty. Thus she gave to the early work of the Board 
an impulse to success, which probably she herself never 
realized. 

" While she never held an official position, her influence 
upon the Board and for the Board, was a felt and val- 
ued force. Her intellectual grasp of the truth was strong 
and certain. This, together with her winsome Christian 
life, won a reverent confidence in her judgment and made 
her an unconscious leader. Her 'assurance of faith' was 
magnetic, and created an atmosphere of courageous en- 
deavor. 

"On one occasion she was present in a missionary 
meeting, where the ladies were oppressed with doubt in 
regard to their pledges for the year. Mrs. Porter listened 
in silence for a time, then slowly rising said : 'Pray, pray 
for that money.' Then planting her foot firmly, as if to 
illustrate the word substance, she continued, 'for faith is 
the substance of things hoped for.' A thrill of courage 
ran through the room. Every heart united in the prayer 
she offered. When a few weaks later more than the 
pledge was reported in the treasury, the ladies said: 
'Dear Mrs. Porter's faith moved us to effort.' 

"Her wide and intense spiritual vision founded on th. 
promises and prophecies of the coming of Christ's King- 
dom in all the earth, gave her at times almost the power 
of a prophetess, and moved others to cheerful work and 
sacrifice as essential factors in the final victory. Her 
true catholicity of spirit and large-hearted acceptance of 
the atonement of Jesus Christ, could be limitated by 
nothing less than the whole earth. 

"Her helpfulness had in it so much of her own unique 
individuality, it is difficult to express it. But it is safe to 



352 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER. 

say, that among all the loyal, loving supporters of the 
Woman's Board of the Interior, Mrs. Jeremiah Porter 
was pre-eminent. Her memory abides in our hearts a 
grateful legacy. 

Mrs. Moses Smith." 
Glencoe, Ills., November, 1892. 



The following extract from the "Advance" account of 
some meeting of W. B. M. I. suggests the kind of inspira- 
tion which Mrs. Porter gave to that work : 

"75 Madison Street. 

" Sept. 5. — If any sought the Upper Room this morning 
fearing or burdened, they must have come away reas- 
sured and nerved for action. Far more potent than the 
presence of Sheridan at Fredericksburg, is the standard 
lifted up before our eyes to-day. Mrs. Jeremiah Porter, 
mother of missionaries, the wife of the first preacher of 
the Gospel in the frontier outpost which is now in Chica- 
go, led the meeting. After a long career of faith and of 
unbounded courage and success in Christian work, she 
lives to pray for and inspire others. But it was not her 
own example that she held up for our encouragement. It 
was the 'Ensign which is the Root of Jesse' (see Isaiah 
xi: 10), 'And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse 
which shall stand for an ensign of the people ; to it shall 
the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.' 'In 
what day?' asked Mrs. Porter, and referred us to Luke 
iv, 'And when He had opened the book * * He began 
to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in 
your ears.' 'That day of Christ's incarnation : this day 
of your privilege, beloved sisters, is the day referred to. 
My heart is filled with delight as I think of that grand 
old prophet looking down through the gates to his very 
room and crying out, 'O daughter of Zion, in that day 



APPENDIX 353 

there shall be a root of Jesse that shall stand for an en- 
sign to the people.' And this ensign is our leader; we 
are only followers. The work is His — to us it should be 
rest — glorious rest. No matter what obstacles or priva- 
tions we may encounter, we may rest in Him and in His 
promise, 'And His rest is glorious.' Let us encourage 
ourselves that He stands as our Ensign forever let us 
stand under His shadow ; nay, rather, let us run with 
patience the race that is set before us.' 

"Everything seemed possible as we listened to Mrs. 
Porter's glowing words. And more especially, after the 
meeting, did every burden seem to fall off when she said, 
'You need not feel burdened, dear ; you who are working 
here are only as little children putting the pennies that 
mamma gives them into the box." 



One year when funds were especially slow in coming in, 
Mrs Porter secured a list of the Congregational Churches 
in the Interior which made no contribution to Woman's 
Work abroad and sent the following appeal to each one : 

AN APPEAL TO PASTORS, SUPERINTENDENTS AND 
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS. 



"Will you not, dear friends, as pastors and leaders of 
'God's host,' call earnestly upon the women and children 
of your churches and schools, to come up at once to the 
Help of the Lord in heathen homes ? 

"Surely every woman that has a name among the fol- 
lowers of Christ, must desire to obey his commandments: 
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every 
creature.' 



354 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

"How can she do this? 

"'By giving liberally and praying, earnestly working 
together with Christ.' 

"Beloved sisters, heathen women ask our missionaries, 
Why have you waited so long? Why have you not told 
us of this Jesus and his love long ago ? A ad does not 
our Saviour ask us why ? 'Why call ye me Master and 
Lord, and do not the things which I command you?' 

" Will you not, beloved, organize at once for this work? 
And write to the Woman's Board of the Interior, at 75 
Madison street, Chicago, and assure them that they may 
depend upon you for at least two cents a week for sup- 
port of a missionary. 

"Do you say you are poor and scattered, and there 
may be obstacles ? 

"Let us think of our dear Lord's sacrifices for us. 
What have we done for Him ? 

"Think, too, of His precious promises to us and ours, 
'If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the 
land.' 

"We must have His blessing in our hearts and homes. 

" ' Give and it shall be given unto you. Good measure, 
pressed down, running over.' — Luke vi: 38. Let us take 
in the full meaning of the promise and act upon it. 

" ' Prove me now and see if I will not pour out a bless- 
ing that there shall not be room to receive.' 

"Who makes this promise to fill our basket and our 
store house full to overflowing ? Let us launch out upon 
it, and not be afraid. Go forward in this work. 

"Organize an Auxiliary, if you have none. Organize 
your children, and teach them by your own zeal and love 
for the cause, the blessedness of mission bands, and ear- 
nest, organized work for the Master. 

'"Behold the bridegroom cometh: Are your lamps 
trimmed and burning?' Or have they gone out? Let us 
hasten to our coming Lord with the inquiry : What wilt 



APPENDIX 355 

Thou have me to do? 

" What have you in your home? Have you a Samuel 
there? Give and it shall be given you. 

Yours for heathen women, 

E. C. P." 



Part of the talk given the ladies at the fiftieth anniver- 
sary of First Presbyterian Church, Chicago : 

"Let me urge you, beloved mothers and daughters, in 
your beautiful homes, to listen to the words of loving 
counsel which God gave His own people when He led 
them out of the wilderness into a 'land flowing with 
milk and honey.' 'Beware that ye forget not the Lord 
your God in departing from His commandments and His 
statutes and His judgments which I command this day, 
lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built 
goodly houses and dwelt in them, thine heart be lifted up 
and thou forget the Lord thy God. For it is He that giv- 
eth thee power and wealth.' Let me urge you, beloved, 
as you dwell in your charming, luxurious homes, that 
you forget not the new responsibilities which come to 
those who follow after and inherit the blessings which 
have come to them through the labors of the toiling pio- 
neers. Remember that the hands of women in every 
land are outstretched toward you, asking you for the 
bread of life. And God asks you for that which your 
gold can not buy, even your sons and daughters. And 
Christian women who owe all domestic love and refine- 
ment, all which makes you differ from African and Chi- 
nese mothers, to the love of Him who came as the prom- 
ised Seed of the woman to lift her up to her rightful plane, 
Jesus calls upon you to give your degraded sex in other 
lands the knowledge of such a Saviour. The Prince of 
Life, of Love, and Peace permits us the honor of being 



356 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

co-workers with Him in this work. 

"If we fail to come up to this work He will raise up 
helpers from some other quarter, but we and our children 
shall and must lose the blessings promised to those who 
are co-workers with Christ, who 'save souls from death 
and hide a multitude of sins.' " 



The following from Mrs. Bickerdyke came too late for 
insertion in the account of Mrs. Porter's army life and 
was accompanied by a statement from one 2 a wagon- 
master, which is also given. 

Russet, Kansas, Sep. 16, i8q2. 
Sketch of Mrs. Jeremiah Porter's Army Service. 

I first met Mrs Jeremiah Porter at Cairo, Brigade Hos- 
pital, after the battle of Belmont. I never needed a friend 
so bad as when Mrs. Porter walked in. I needed her lov- 
ing sympathy, which came as a balm. 

For four years we walked side by side, I had her loving 
kindness and sympathy. She was fearless in her work, 
she feared nothing. She would cheerfully go to the bed- 
side of a severe case of small-pox, erysipelas, or gangrene 
as she would to a wounded man, and stay with them 
until they would take that journey from whence no trav- 
eler ever returns. She would accompany me regularly 
every morning to the dead house, seeing that the dead 
were properly cleaned and clothed for burial, their names 
recorded, their friends notified, and the Sanitary Com- 
mission notified at Chicago. This sad and painful task 
took an hour or two from our morning work. After a 
battle, when our wounded were brought in, the mortally 
wounded were laid aside from the rest. It was a place 
that would appall the strongest hearts and yet, Mrs. 
Porter would cheerfully go -with me and help to move 



APPENDIX 357 

their mangled forms, and see who could be saved and 
would say to those dying, ''Prepare to meet your God." 

Alter a very hard, four days storm on New Year's 
morning, 1864, while I was in the kitchen trying to eat 
my breakfast, in came Mrs. Porter, which had the effect 
of the brightest sunshine upon me, exhausted as I was. 
Soon the word that Mrs. Porter had come passed through 
the wards of the hospital, and every soldier knew she 
was present. She went to work in the small-pox and 
erysipelas wards, where she was a great comfort to 
the soldiers. We began in January to prepare for the 
spring campaign, the next battle being Resaca. She also 
helped in caring for the sick in the Hunts ville, Alabama, 
Prison. 

We arrived at the battle of Resaca at sunrise, and there 
were already 400 awaiting medical treatment. Mrs. Por- 
ter not weighing over 100 pounds, seemed that she had 
the strength of a giant. Taking her handkerchief from 
her pocket and a bucket of water in her hand, she began 
washing the face of a man which was covered with blood 
and who was gasping for breath. She ordered pillows 
to be taken from the sanitary wagons and placed under 
the heads of wounded soldiers, or under the stumps of 
amputated limbs. All day long she went from one 
wounded man to another, in the boiling sun, and from 
tent to tent and through the woods where the dead and 
wounded lay, nor did she seem to weary. Late in the 
afternoon Gen. McPherson rode up and said, "Mrs. Por- 
ter, my Orderly is mortally wounded," and with the 
speed of lightning dashed away, leaving his precious 
charge to Mrs. Porter's care. Soon the frail form of a 
boy of seventeen summers was borne in on a stretcher, with 
his heart's blood streaming on the ground, as they bore 
him by and Mrs. Porter beckoned him under the shade of 
a tree. After washing his face and giving him a drink, 
she took him by the hand and speaking in a low, gentle 



358 ELIZA CHAPPELL PORTER 

tone, said, "Can you move year fingers?" and he moved 
them ; "Can you move your toes? " and he moved them. 
Then she said, "There are no bones broken and you may 
not be mortally wounded after all, the Lord has pre- 
served you for some good purpose." He recovered suffi- 
ciently to be sent home to his parents. During that en- 
tire day, a son of Mrs. Porter was engaged actively on 
his battery, his mother not knowing whether he was 
dead or alive. He came to her at sunset and said verj r 
cheerfully, "How do you do, mother? " He stayed about 
five minutes engaged in close conversation when he dis- 
appeared through the dense smoke and returned to his 
battery. The musketry ceased, but the artillery roared 
all night. Early in the morning the action was renewed 
with vigor. During the course of the day Johnson 
crossed the river and burned the bridge after him, and 
every one that could carry a musket was in hot pur- 
suit, leaving the dead and wounded lying on the field. 
Across this field of carnage, we moved our wounded to 
the railroad, a distance of about three miles. All that 
could be were sent to Chattanooga ; but it left fifteen hun- 
dred in the hospital. The second and third da3^s the 
wounded came in from the undergrowth of pines where 
they had been hiding. Late on the third day, 300 of the 
20th corps came in completely starved out, and our sup- 
plies were exhausted. We had five barrels of corn meal, 
and two barrels of potato pickles, and for once they 
were aluxury. Mush was made of the corn meal, and as 
strange as it may seem the entire five barrels of meal 
were well-cooked and fed to the hungry soldiers, but in 
the meantime, Mrs. Porter had handed out every one of 
the two barrels of pickles. That was the last morsel of 
food that we had that night, and the soldiers were satis- 
fied and slept well. Early the next morning came thir- 
teen car loads of provisions, and two car loads of ice, 
from Mr. Yeaton, President of the St. Louis Sanitary 



APPENDIX 359 

Commission. After getting the men comfortable, we re- 
ceived orders to report immediately at Kingston, Georgia, 
which we did, making the journey in a car loaded with 
shelled corn. We arrived there just at sunrise, and Mrs. 
Porter took an active part in distributing 75 tons of pro- 
visions, fitting up the Kingston Hospital, where we 
were about two weeks, and then we were ordered in 
great haste, to Altoona. We found a hospital of about 
3,000 patients, and still coming in, among them a great 
many friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Porter took charge 
of the linen room. We were there about a month, when 
we were ordered to Marietta Hospital. We were there 
about four months, during the time there were five hard 
fought battles, and finally the fall of Atlanta; the 
wounded from which, numbering about 13,000 passed 
through that hospital. Here it was that Mrs. Porter re- 
turned to Chicago. 



I was a civilian wagonmaster, 15 Army Corps, 1st. Di- 
vision, under Gen. Smith, Quartermaster at Ringgold, 
Georgia, when the army was moving up Snake Creek 
Gap. Forty wagons were loaded with sanitary supplies 
and an ambulance stood waiting for Mrs. Bickerdyke 
when she received orders to move. "I am not ready to 
move." "Why are you not ready to move?" "I am 
waiting for Mrs. Porter, she is coming in on the train." 
"There will be no train until after dark." "Then I will 
wait until after dark." In less than twenty minutes the 
train did come in. A little, frail woman, dressed in brown 
stepped from the train and Mrs. Bickerdyke moved for- 
ward to meet her. I asked Mr. Reno, the Sanitary Agent, 
if that was all Mrs. Bickerdyke was waiting for. He re- 
plied : "Them women is a host, I am glad shehascome." 
We were soon in our place marching up Snake Creek, 



360 ELIZA CHAP FELL PORTER 

with the equipments of quartermaster, commissary, and 
sanitary commission for 50,000 men. It was a grand 
sight, and only two women in it. 

Before the sun was an hour high the next morning, I 
learned what that little woman was. She moved around 
among the wounded and dying as if she were something 
superhuman, washing and bathing the wounded and her 
own hands stained with blood, the sight being such that 
it turned me deathly sick, being the first battle I ever saw. 
I was glad when I was ordered back with my train. I 
frequently saw Mrs. Porter afterwards following her 
mission of mercy, and saw her come into the Marietta 
Hospital, and deliberately clean the officers' table saying 
— "These things were sent here for the sick soldiers, I have 
just passed through the wards and the men have noth- 
ing to eat but hardtack and black coffee without sugar." 
Speaking in a low tone, "I don't know how you can do 
so." At five o'clock that evening, I never saw a better 
supper served up than was served there, to about 1,500 
men, and the officers mess had good bread, and butter, 
fried meat, potatoes, and coffee, without any delica- 
cies. I lastly saw her at Beaufort, N. C, at the large 
hospital, seeming to have the same vitality and interest 
in justice and right as when I first saw her. 



(From "The Advance, " of Chicago, June 18, 1891.). 

A REMARKABLE LIFE. 

There appered in the Advance, of April 8, a brief obitu- 
ary, which probably attracted the attention of but few 
readers, and from most of those who noticed it only a 
passing thought, for the name was unfamiliar. It is fit- 
ting that now that name become better known among 



APPENDIX 3C1 

us, and that some record be made of the life of self-denial 
and beneficence which was so hidden while this woman of 
remarkable history, as well as character, was in our 
midst. 

Mrs. C. L. A. Tank was born in Holland, in 1803, and 
passed from the school of earthly disipline to the larger 
life, April 1, 1891, at Fort Howard, Wis., which had been 
her home for forty years. She was the daughter of Rev. 
R. J. Van der Meulen, of Amsterdam, and was descended 
on her mother's side from a distinguished general in the 
service of the crown, through whom a large fortune came 
to the family. No one who had heard them from her 
own lips, in the expressive and forcible English, quaint 
and original as herself in its idioms, will ever forget the 
stories of her youth, with its careful training under the 
scholarly father and gentle mother, and the companion- 
ship of a sister with musical and artistic tastes like her 
own. 

After the death of her mother she had charge of the 
establishment, and remained in the stately home until 
she became the wife of Rev. Otto Tank, a Norwegian 
gentleman and Moravian Missionary. 

There looks down upon me as I write a portrait of 
Mr. Tank, a copy of one painted in Dresden, in 1820, when 
he was a young and gay court favorite. It is a noble 
face, of unusual beauty of feature, and with the forshad- 
owing of that loftier beauty which distinguished his later 
years, the benevolence and gentleness of its expression, 
the outlooking of the "inward light." Mr. Tank was an 
ardent student, a fine classical scholar, and an enthusi- 
ast in natural science. He spoke fluently six or seven of 
the languages of modern Europe, and read as many more. 
His father, a Norwegian nobleman, had most ambitious 
plans for his attractive and gifted son, and was bitterly 
disappointed when he allied himself with the despised 
sect of Moravians. Every effort was made to win him 



362 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

back to the State church and a more formal Christianity, 
but he was firm in his resolve to consecrate his life to 
lowly service for others instead of self-seeking, and in 
consequence was disinherited by his father. He was em- 
ployed as a teacher, then as commercial agent, by the 
Moravian brotherhood, and later as a missionary to the 
slaves in Dutch Guiana. There his first wife died, and 
he returned to Europe with a motherless daughter, eight- 
teen months old. Miss Van der Meulen had been an in- 
timate friend of the mother of the little girl, and in 1849 
became the wife of Mr. Tank. After their marriage they 
came to the United States. After making arrangements 
for a home in Bethlehem, Pa., they were sent in charge 
of a colony of Norwegian emigrants to Northern Wis- 
consin. 

The years that followed were full of trial and disap- 
pointment. Plans for the welfare of the colony were 
thwarted quite as much by the dissatisfaction of its 
members as by untoward circumstances. A Moravian 
community, modeled after those of the Old World, was 
not in accord with the spirit of the free and rapidly-grow- 
ing Northwest, and the company of colonists was soon 
scattered. It became known that Mr. and Mrs. Tank 
had large means, and they were drawn into various fi- 
nancial schemes which brought only regret and loss. 

"So the years went on until 1864, the return to Bethle- 
hem again and again postponed, when Mr. Tank was 
suddenly stricken down by disease and death, and his 
wife and daughter were left to disentangle the complica- 
ted business, and carry out, so far as might be, the benev- 
olent designs in which they had been sharers. During 
these years Mrs. Tank had devoted "herself most assidu- 
ously to the instruction and training of the daughter, 
and one or two trips had been made to Europe, that she 
might enjoy a year of study in England, courses of lec- 
tures in Paris, and the best of musical advantages abroad. 



APPENDIX 363 

The daughter had been prepared, it seemed, for anything 
rather than business; but it was not long before she won 
the admiration of able financiers by her skill and capac- 
ity in this direction, and her mother leaned upon her in 
glad confidence. In 1872 she too was called away, and 
Mrs. Tank left singularly alone. 

She was deeply attached to America, pathetically so 
to the cottage home on the banks of the Fox, to her gar- 
den and to her pets, but she always felt herself an alien 
among its people, and lived a life apart. Her friends re- 
member well the charm of visits to that quaint home, its 
hospitality so unlike any other, yet so large-hearted and 
genuine, — the bustling Dutch housewife presiding at her 
table pressing tea or fruit cordials, of her own prepara- 
tion, upon her guests as they sat on the vine-hung ve- 
randa overlooking the beautiful river which ran just be- 
fore the door. There were rare hours when the key of 
the attic store-room was entrusted to the daughter of 
the house, and she drew from great chests the treasures 
from the elegant Holland home, and displayed them to 
the wondering, awe-struck children who were her com- 
panions. To little eyes unused to the sight of jewels and 
rich silks, this attic seemed a very fairy land of delight. 
Collectors who understand the value of such things, as- 
sure me now that we under-estimated rather than over- 
estimated their value, and that the little old cottage 
really contained rare treasures in pictures, china and 
bric-a-brac. The family had looked forward to a time 
when these should adorn the home of the daughter. Now 
only the mother was left, a stranger still in this strange 
land. She could not easily place herself in sympathetic 
relations with the community about her. A small circle 
of friends she loved and trusted, and her tender interest 
in every one in need was abundantly proved by most 
thoughtful gifts. The beloved pastor of the littlechurch, 
of which she was the main support, Rev. Mr. Curtis, was 



364 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

her counsellor and tried friend. When in her loneliness 
she seemed to need his aid and the friendship of his house- 
hold, he too was taken away. A widowed friend from 
Green Bay came to live near her, and with daughterly 
kindness ministered to her declining years. Mrs. Tank was 
still harassed by business complications, and had grown 
distrustful of those who approached her for aid. Almost 
twenty years she lived alone in the little cottage, even 
the woman who served her being often not under her 
roof, but in an adjacent building. This lonely life was, 
however, by no means an aimless one. There lies before 
me now the record of gifts to benevolent objects which 
passed through the hands of one trusted adviser during 
these years. He says of her: 'All the Dutch frugality 
which she inherited with her father's fortune was devoted 
to the causes of benevolence and Christianity. She was 
constantly giving, thoughtfully, methodically, and se- 
cretly.' The aggregate of sums disbursed through this 
single channel amounts to more than $12,000. And, cer- 
tainly, until later years, this was but one of the agencies 
through which she touched the needs of the world. 

Such Christian stewardship brought its immediate re- 
ward. What seemed to mere onlookers the somber mon- 
otone of her life, was to her full of richness and color. 
Her heart reached out after the suffering and needy in 
many lands. She read widely and carefully, and was fa- 
miliar with the various forms of benevolent activity. 
The traditions of her Dutch ancestry were potent in her 
thought ; and she watched the growth of papal influence 
in this country with a jealous dread, such as only one so 
trained could understand. Each country, heathen or 
papal, opened to the entrance of the pure gospel, was to 
her a personal joy, and her gift was generally among the 
earliest to greet such new ventures of the Church of Christ 
in its forward movement. Careless, too careless, some- 
times, of her own comfort, even her own needs, she saved 



APPENDIX 365 

only that she might give, not that she might hold. This 
frugal spirit was no narrow one, imposing its own re- 
strictions upon others. Many a generous gift to procure 
something which she would have denied herself, has gone 
to the missionary on our frontier or to foreign lands. 

Years ago much of her beautiful plate was sent to the 
mint in Philadelphia, melted into bullion, and its pro- 
ceeds given to Christian work. The quaint Dutch silver 
would have brought a great sum if sold in its original 
form, but this her family pride could not permit. She re- 
joiced to give it, but alien hands must not touch it with 
the Van der Meulen mark upon it as it stood in her fath- 
er's house. 

Now the remaining treasures are to be scattered. The 
father's library with the collection of paintings goes to 
the State Historical Society of AVisconsin. 

All the rest, the stores of that attic chamber fairyland 
of my girlhood, are to be sold for the work she loved. 
Her last large gift, personally bestowed, was $1,000 for 
the Oberlin Home for the children of missionaries. The 
case was presented with some hesitation ; it was known 
that she gave rarely in these later years, and that new 
objects did not appeal to her like the old familiar ones. 
She listened thoughtfully while the plan was laid before 
her, and she was asked to pledge $1,000. The bright, 
kind eyes filled with tears as, without a moment's hesi- 
tation, she said eagerly, with a little break in her voice, 
'That is good. That I will do; that will be for my 
Mary.' 

The first Christian chapel built in Peking, China, was 
a memorial for this daughter at the time of her death. 
Now that their reunion was so near, the mother remem- 
bered tenderly the child who came from South America 
so many years ago, and entered gladly into the thought 
of this need of other missionary children. 

The stewardship of these earthly things over, surely 



366 ELIZA CHAP PELL PORTER 

6he has heard the glad word of approval from Him whom 
here she loved to call 'The dear Lord,' 'Thou hast been 
faithful over a few things ; I will make thee ruler over 
many things." 



A SELECTION FROM 

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Catalogue. 



By-Paths of Bible Knowledge. 

'The volumes issuing under the above general title fully deserve suc- 
cess. They have been entrusted to scholars who have a special acquaint- 
ance with the subjects about which they severally treat." — Athen&ttm. 



These books are written by specialists, and their aim is to give the 
results of the latest and be6t scholarships on questions of Biblical 
history, science and archaeology. The volumes contain much informa- 
tion that is not easily accessible, even to those who have a large 
acquaintance with the higher literature on these subjects. 



15* Early Bible Songs. 

With introduction on the Nature and Spirit of Hebrew Song, by 

A. H. Drysdale M. A $100 

14. Ittodern Discoveries on the Site of Ancient Ephesus. 

By J . T. Wood, F. S. A. Illustrated $100 

13. The Times of Isaiah. 

As illustrated from Con temporary Monuments. By A. H. Sayce, LL. D. .80 
12. The Hittites; or the Story of a Forgotten Empire. 

By A. H. Sayce, LL. D. Illustrated. Crown, 8vo $1 20 

1 1. Animals of the Bible. 

Bv H. Chichester Hart, Naturalist to Sir G. Nares' Arctic Expedition 
and Professor Hull's Palestine Expedition. Illustrated, Crown, 8vo $1 20 
10* The Trees and Plants Mentioned in the Bible. 

By W. H. Groser, B. Sc. Illustrated $100 

9. The Diseases of the Bible. 

By Sir J. Risdon Bennett $100 

8. The Dwellers on the Nile. 

Chapters on the Life, Literature. History and Customs of Ancient 
Egypt. By E. A. Wallis Budge, M. A., Assistant in Department of 

Oriental Antiquities, British Museum. Illustrated $1 20 

7* Assyria; Its Princes. Priests and People. 

By A. H. Sayce, M. A., LL. D., author of "Fresh Light from Ancient 
Monuments," "Introduction to Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther," etc. 

Illustrated $120 

6. Egypt and Syria. 

Their Physical Features in Relation to Bible History. By Sir J. W. 
Dawson. Principal of McGill College, Montreal, F. G. S., F. R. S., 
author of "The Chain of Life in Geological Time," etc. Second 

edition, revised and enlarged. With many illustrations $1 20 

5. Galilee in the time of Christ. 

By Selah Merrill, D. D., author of "East of the Jordan," etc. With Map $1 00 
4. Babylonian Life and History. 

By E. A. Willis Budge, M. A., Cambridge, Assistant in the Depart- 
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3. Becent Discoveries on the Temple Hill at Jerusalem. 

By the Rev. J. King, M. A., Authorized Lecturer for the Palestine 

Exploration Fund. With Maps, Plans and Illustrations $1 00 

2. Fresh Lights From the Ancient Monuments. 

A Sketch of the most striking Confirmations of the Bible from recent 
discoveries in Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Palestine and Asia Minor. 
By A. H. Sayce, LL. D., Deputy Professor of Comparative Philology, 

Oxford, etc. With fac-similes from photographs $1 2d 

1. Cleopatra's Needle. 

History of the London Obelisk, with an Exposition of the Hiero- 
glyphics. By the Rev. J. King, Lecturer for the Palestine Explora- 
tion Fund. With Illustrations $1 09 



1 43-150 Madison Strut, f 1BIDII]Q[ M, i\6V6ll LOi 30 Union SquartEatt. 



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■♦♦» 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN G. PATON. Missionary to the 
New Hebrides. Introductory note by Arthur T. Pierson, D.D. 
2 vols., 12mo., portrait and map, in neat box, $3.00. 

One of the most remarkable biographies of modern times. 

" I have just laid down the most robust and the most fascinating piece of auto- 
biography that I have met with in many a day It is the story of the 

wonderful work wrought by John G. Paton, the famous missionary to the New 
Hebrides; he was made of the same stuff with Livingstone."— T. L. Cuyler. 

"It stands with such books as those Dr. Livingstone gave the world, and 
shows to men that the heroes of the cross are not merely to be sought in past 
ages," — Christian Intelligencer. 

THE LIFE OF JOHN KENNETH MACKENZIE. Medical 

Missionary to China ; with the story of the First Chinese Hospital 

by Mrs. Bryson, author of "Child Life in Chinese Homes," etc. 

12mo., cloth, 400 pages, price $1.50 with portrait in photogravure. 

"The story of a singularly beautiful life, sympathetically and ably written. 
. . . . A really helpful, elevating book."— London Missionary Chronicle. 

"The volume records much that is fresh and interesting bearing on Chinese 
customs and manners as seen and vividly described by a missionary who had 
ample opportunities of studying them under most varied circumstances and 
conditions. "—Scotsman. 

THE GREATEST WORK IN THE WORLD. The Evangeliza- 
tion of all Peoples in the Present Century. By Eev. Arthur T. 
Pierson, D.D. 12mo., leatherette, gilt top. 35c. 

The subject itself is an inspiration, but this latest production of Dr. Pierson 
thrills with the life which the Master Himself has imparted to it. It will be a 
welcome addition to Missionary literature. 

THE CRISIS OF MISSIONS. By Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, D.D. 

Cloth, $1.25 ; paper, 35c. 

" We do not hesitate to say that this book is the most purposeful, earnest and 
intelligent review of the mission work and field which has ever been given to the 
Church." — Christian Statesman. 

MEDICAL MISSIONS. Their Place and Power. By John Lowe, 

F. K. C. S. E., Secretary of the Edinburgh Medical Mission Society. 

12mo., 308 pages, cloth, $1.50. 

"This book contains an exhaustive account of the benefits that may, and in 
point of fact do, accrue from the use of the medical art as a Christian agency. Mr. 
Lowe is eminently qualified to instruct us in this matter, having himself been so 
long engaged in the same field." — From Introduction by Sir William Muir. 

ONCE HINDU: NOW CHRISTIAN. The early life of Baba 
Padmanji. Translated from the Marathi. Edited by J. Murray Mit- 
chell, M. A., LLD. 12mo., 155 pages, with appendix. Cloth, 75c. 

" A more instructive or more interesting narrative of a human soul, once held 
firmly in the grip of oriental superstition, idolatry and caste, gradually emerging 
into the light, liberty and peace of a regenerate child of God, does not often come 
to hand." — Missionary Herald. 

AN INTENSE LIFE. By George F. Herrick. A sketch of the life 
and work of Rev. Andrew T Prattt, M.D., Missionary of the A. B. 
C. F. M., in Turkey, 1852-1872. 16mo., cloth, 50c. 



new york. : : Fleming H. Rcuell Company : : Chicago. 



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(Continued.) 
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EVERY-DAY LIFE IN SOUTH INDIA, or, the Story of Coopoo- 
swanie\. An Autobiography. With fine engravings by E. Whym- 
per. 12rno., cloth, $1 00. 

THE CHILDREN OF INDIA. Written for children by one of 

their friends. Illustrations and map. Small 4to , cloth, $1.25. 

" These are good books for the Sunday-School Library, and will help young 
people in missionary societies who desire to have an intelligent idea of the people 
in India whom they are sending their money and their missionaries to convert. — 
Missionary Herald. 

HINDUISM, PAST AND PRESENT. With an account of recent 

Hindu reformers, and a brief comparison between Hinduism and 

Christianity. By J. Murray Mitchell, M.A., LLD. 12mo., cloth, 

$1.60. 

"A praiseworthy attempt to present a popular view of a vast and important 
ubject." — Saturday Review. 

GOSPEL ETHNOLOGY. With illustrations. By S. R. Paterson, 

F. G. S. 12mo, cloth., $1.00. 

" The first attempt to treat this subject from a thorough-going scientific stand- 
point. A very powerful argument for the truth of Christianity. " — English Church- 
man. 

"A book to refer to for information not easily to be obtained otherwise. — 
Church Missionary Intelligencer. 

NATIVE LIFE IN SOUTH INDIA. Being sketches of the social 

and religious characteristics of the Hindus. By the Rev. Henry 

Rice. With many illustrations from native sketches. 12mo., cloth 

boards, $1.00. 

" Those who have heard Mr. Rice's missionary addresses will be prepared to 
hear that this is a fascinating book." — Life and Work. 

CHRISTIAN PROGRESS IN CHINA. Gleanings from the writ- 
ings and speaches of many workers. By Arnold Foster, B.A., 
London Missionary, Hankow. With map of China. 12mo., cloth, 
$1.00. 

AMONG THE MONGOLS. By Rev. James Gilmour, M.A., London 

Mission, Peking. Numerous engravings from photographs and 

native sketches. 12mo., gilt edges, cloth, $1.00. 

"The newness and value of the book consists solely in its Defoe quality, that 
when you have read it you know, and will never forget, all Mr. Gilmour knows 
and tells of how Mongols live." — Spectator. 

EVERY-DAY LIFE IN CHINA, or, Scenes along River and Road 

in the Celestial Empire. By Edwin J. Dukes. Illustrations from 

the author's sketches. 12mo., with embellished cover, $2.00. 

That China is a mysterious problem to all who interest themselves in its affairs 
is the only excuse for offering another book on the subject. 



new york. :: Fleming H. Reu>ell Company : : Chicago. 



Popular Missionary Biographies. 

!2mo, 160 pages. Fully illustrated; cloth extra, 75 cents each 



Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, 
„Yrites : 

" Crowded with facts 
that both interest and in- 
spire, we can conceive of 
no better plan to spread 
the Missionary spirit than 
the multiplying of such 
biographies; and we 
would specially commend 
this series to those who 
have the management of 
libraries and selection of 
prizes in our Sunday 
Schools." 




From The Missionary 
Herald : 

"We commended this 
series in our last issue, 
and a further examina- 
tion leads us to renew our 
commendation, and to 
urge the placing of this 
series of missionary books 
in ail our Sabbath-school 
libraries. 

These books are hand- 
somely printed and bound 
and are beautifully illus- 
trated, and we are confi- 
dent that they will prove 
attractive to all young 
people." 



SAMUEL CROWTHER, the Slave Boy who became Bishop of 

the Niger. By Jesse Page, author of " Bishop Patterson." 

THOMAS J. COMBER, Missionary Pioneer to the Congo. By 

Rev. J. B. Myers, Association Secretary Baptist Missionary Society. 

BISHOP PATTESON, the Martyr of Melanesia. By Jesse Pagb. 
GRIFFITH JOHN, Founder of the Hankow Mission, Central 

China. By Wm. Robson, of the London Missionary Society. 
ROBERT MORRISON, the Pioneer of Chinese Missions. By 

Wm. J. Townsend, Sec. Methodist New Connexion Missionary Soc'y. 
ROBERT MOFFAT, the Missionary Hero of Kuruman. By David 
J. DeANE, author of " Martin Luther, the Reformer," etc. 

WILLIAM CAREY, the Shoemaker who became a Missionary. 

By Rev. J. B. Myers, Association Secretary Baptist Missionary Society. 

JAMES CHALMERS, Missionary and Explorer of Rarotonga 

and New Guinea. By Wm. Robson, of the London Missionary Soc'y. 

MISSIONARY LADIES IN FOREIGN LANDS. By Mrs. E. R. 

Pilman, author of " Heroines of the Mission Fields," etc. 

JAMES CALVERT ; or, From Dark to Dawn in Fiji. 
JOHN WILLIAMS, the Martyr of Erromanga. By Rev. James 
J. Ellis. 



UNIFORM WITH THE ABOVE. 



JOHN BRIGHT, the Man of the People. By Jesse Page, author of 

" Bishop Patteson," " Samuel Crowther," etc. 
HENRY M. STANLEY, the African Explorer. By Arthur Monte- 

fiore, F.R.G.S. Brought down to 1889. 
DAVID LIVINGSTON, his Labors and his Legacy. 



CHICAGO: 
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NEW YORK: 
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f o>j Wof\K Upoflq Cq]lDfj[Efi. 



Attractive Truths in Lesson and Story. By Mrs. A. M. Scudder, frith 
introduction by Rev. F. E Clarke, Prest. Y. P. S. C. E. ia mc 

cloth, $i 25. 

A series of outline lessons with illustrative stories for Junior Christian Endeavor 
Societies, for Children's meetings and for home teaching. 

Not only for workers among children will this work be appreciated, but mothers 
ivill find it a delightful Sunday afternoon volume for their children, suggesting an end- 
less variety of "occupations, besides charming with its many beautiful stories. 

Children's Meetings and How to Conduct Them. By Lucy J. Rider, 

and Nellie M. Carman, introduction by Bishop J. H. Vincent. 208 

pp., cloth, illustrated, $1 00; paper covers, 50 cents. 

"Mr. Kevell has conferred a favor on the Christian public, especially that large 

part of it interested in the right training of children, in publishing this most practical 

work." — The Advance. 

••Just such a work as teachers have long wanted. It will at once take a place 
among the indispensables." — N. T. Observer. 

"Among the contributors to this volume are nearly all the best known Sunday- 
school writers of this country. The book is a cyclopedia of helpful hints on the best 
plans of working among the children, plans suggested by the actual experience of the 
contributors." 

Clear as Crystal. By Rev. R. T. Cross. Fifty, five minute talks on les- 
sons from Crystals. 206 pp., beveled cloth, $1 00. 

"The Sermons belong to the five minute series, and are models of what can be 
done in so brief a space." — The Independent 

"Most interesting in style, and full of spirituality . We commend this volume es- 
pecially to teachers who understand the value of fresh illustrations from nature." — 
The Christian at Work. 

Talks to Children. By Rev. T T. Eaton, D. D., with introduction by 
Rev. John A Broadus, D. D , LL. D. 16 mo. cloth, $1 00. 

"Dr. Eaton's Talk; appear to us to possess in an unusual degree the qualities 
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imagination, and a firm grip on the youthful conscience." — The Independent. 

"We have examined this work with intense interest. We have read many books 
of this kind, but we honestly believe that this volume of Dr. Eaton's excels them a//." — 
Central Baptist. 

"The best book of the kind we remember to have seen. We commend it especially 
to parents reading aloud to their children Sunday afternoon." — Examiner. 

Short Talks to Young Christians, on the Evidences of Christianity. 

By Rev. C. O. Brown. 168 pages, cloth, 50c, paper, 30 cents. 

"Books that are reallv useful, on the evidences of Christianity, could almost be 
counted on one's fingers. One which has been singled out from a host of others by its 
plain straight forward sense is 'Short Talks to Young Christians on the Evidences 1 , 
by t e Rev. C. O. Brown." — Sunday School Times. 

Conversion of Children. By Rev. E. P. Hammond. A practical volume 
replete with incident and illustration. Suggestive, important and timely. 

184 pages, cloth, 75 cents, paper cover, 30 cents. 
Young People's Christian Manual. By Rev. Chas L. Morgan. 32mc 

booklet, 5 cents; 25 copies, $1 00. 

A Catechetical Manual for the instruction of the young for use in Pastors' Train- 
ing Classes, Societies of Christian Endeavor, Sunday School, or Family. 

"I have for years felt the need of something of this sort. I wish the Manual, 
might be wanted a widely as I am sure it is netded." — Josiah Strong, D. D., author 
"Our Country." 



CHICAGO: FlDTTITnrT IT Ed^dTT f*P NEW Y0RK: 

'i8-i50 Madison Street. I lulWIIU Hi lACVKll UU. jo Union Square East 



Writings of Rev. F. B. MEYER, B. A. 

Mr. Meyer always writes to ed if icatioq.— C. H. SPURGEON. 



jf g t p \\ . Beloved— Hated— Exalted. Cloth, 16 mo., $1.00. 

In the present volume Mr. Meyer retells with skill and pathos the 
old-world story of the Israelitish youth who rose through pit and prison to 
the post of Premier of Egypt; a story of undying interest and worth, not 
only as a true tale of Eastern romance, but as a unique example of the 
value of piety, purity of life and fidelity in service. 



& 



IOTH THOUSAND. 

b V a t) a ttl : or, The Obedience of Faith. Cloth, 16 mo., $1.00. 



A book we would very heartily commend to those who desire to make 
progress in Christian life and experience; each will find it helpful and sug- 
gestive, sending new light upon many a well-known narrative. — Christian 
Progress. 

The contents of the book before us are such that no one can rise from 
its perusal without feeling consciously strengthened in God and inspired 
afresh for the Godly life. — Sunday-School Chronicle. 

Really a very beautiful work, which will be read with delight by 
many a fireside. After all, this home-like treatment of Scripture biography, 
with the object of bringing out the spiritual lessons, is amongst the highest 
and most profitable studies. — The Freeman. 

I3TH THOUSAND. 

il S X & £ I : A Prince with God. Cloth, 16 mo., $1.00. 

s 

Mr. Meyer has great descriptive power. He can tell a narrative 
well. This subject in his hand glows with life, and the scenes and events in 
the history of his hero pass vividly before you, and are ever being used to 
force home some important principle. — British Messenger. 

With a keen moral insight, and a deep spiritual sympathy, he de- 
scribes the piety and weakness of the best beloved of the Patriarchs. 
— Christian Leader. 

Exceedingly good, not only spiritual, but also thoughtful, fresh, sug- 
gestive and thoroughly practical. — C. H. Spurgeon, in Sword and Trowel. 

From first to last the book is richly suggestive and spiritually fruit- 
ful. — Word and Work. 

15TH THOUSAND, 

( 3j£ ii j d \) : and the Secret of his Power. Cloth, 16 mo., $1.00. 

The leading object of this volume is to show that Elijah's God is our 
God; avid how a like dependence maybe ours if our dependence is in the 
living God. It is encouraging and stimulating; yet full of solemn warnings. 
Some parts are grandly written and of thrilling interest. — Footsteps of 
Truth. 

Good, exceedingly good ! Mr. Meyer is a great gain to the armies of 
Evangelical truth; for his, tone, spirit and aspirations are all of a fine Gospel 
sort. — Sword and Trowel. 



new york :: Fleming H. Revell Co. - Chicago. 



WRITINGS OF REV. F. B. MEYER, B. A, 



u 



1Vf<»N hr» tfir*.** Expositions of the First Epistle of Peter. Cloth 
i^ rieu on .yirc. j6 mo ^ ^ lQQ 

We doubt whether any work has appeared since the time of Leighton, 
on the same subject, which equals the one before us. These expositions of 
one of the richest of the Epistles are brightly and beautifully written and 
infused by a lofty and evangelical Christian spirit — Primitive Methodist. 

2IST THOUSAND. 

ffi fre present Senses of tljg Blegeeb Cife . cioth, 3 a mo. , 50c. 

We commend the book as one that cannot fail to be read with profit. 
— Evangelical Christendom. 

A gem and brimful of spiritual life — Methodist New Connexion 
Magazine. 

20TH THOUSAND. 

C hristian doing, cioth, 32 mo., 50c. 

Full of sweetness and light. No Christian can read it and fail to 
receive stimulus in the direction whither the true-hearted would go. — Con- 
gregational Magazine. 

Special stress is made in this little volume on the practical side of the 
Christian life. Thoughts calculated to strengthen and inspire in the per- 
formance of every-day duties, are put in clear and simple form.— Advance. 

Tbey prove most refreshing reading; and for the culture of the relig- 
ous life we can recommend nothing better. — Standard. 



% 



I9TH THOUSAND. 

be Sphere flsalm. Med £* tion s c on the 23d Psalm * cloth ' 32 

We have never read anything so charming on the Twenty- third 
Psalm. It is full of beauty and poetry. Anything that this gifted and 
spiritual author writes requires no recommendation, as he is well known to 
the Christian public. — Irish Congregational Magazine. 

Mr. Meyer has given us a devotional work on this inspired Psalm 
which every Christian man and woman should not only read but carry about 
in his pocket in order to snatch even amid the busy employment of life an 
uplifting and elevating thought. This little book is worth its weight in 
gold. — Central Baptist. 

Envelope Series of Booklets, by Rev. F. B. Meyer. 

The Chambers of the King. Words of Help for Christian The Lost Chord Found. 
With Christ in Separation. Girls. Why Sign the Pledge? 

Seven Rules for Dai'y Living, The Filling of the Holy Spirit. The Secret of Power. 
The Secret ofVictory over Sin. The Stewardship of Money. Our Bible Reading. 
The First Step into the Blessed Where am I Wrong? The Secret of Guidance. 

Life. Young Man, Don't Drift! Peace, Perfect Peace. 

aoc. per dozen, or $1.50 per 100. 
CHOICE EXTRACTS from writings of F. B. Meyer, 48 pages, 5c. per copy; 35c. dozen. 

newyork. :: Fleming H. Revell Co. :: Chicago. 



Bond for a list of contents of entire aerie*. 



A LIBRARY OF CRITICAL, LBARNING 



jT/kZyVG s £ 27j^£s9S'~ 



'Rt'ofNT PREstKi PflEiEMl PRE5tt* T p HES£NliPR f <,f Nl ^«fN; D RrstNfRES£NrPRE$£lfl 
day oay day oay Day I day day j day .day day 
[gg§gS IRAOK Igfl@5 I8ACJ5 ISftC© kl&tfg ^ftofSJTRftPRAtrS TracK 



IVOL POL VOL PL jfOL f/OL jVOL VOL VOL fc 

jij.i In tjin iv v m m MM h; 




LIUIMGi PAPERS 

ON PRESENT DAY THEMES. 

A SERIES OFTEN VOLUMES COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS ON 
CHRISTIAN EVIDENCE, DOCTRINE AND MORALS. 

We wish to place this set of books in the library of every thoughtful 
minister. 

The set cannot but be desired as soon as their worth is known. 

The subjects treated are the leading topics of the day, and the writers 
are acknowledged authorities on the particular themes discussed. 

Note the remarkable list of names included among the contributors. 

Principal Cairns, 

Rev. C. A. Eow, 

W. G. Blackie, D.D., LL.D., 

Prebendary Row, M.A., 

Rev. Noah Porter, D.D., 



Canon Rawlinson, 

8. R. Pattison, F.G.S., 

Dr. Friedrich Pfaff, 

Dean of Canterbury, 

Henry Wage, D.D., 

Rev. W. F. Wilkinson, M.A., 

James Leqqe, LL.D., 

Rev. W. G. Elmslie, M.A., 

Dean of Chester, 

J. Murray Mitchell, LL.D.. 

F. Godet, D.D., 

Eustace P. Conder, M.A., D.D., 



Rev. James Iveraoh, M.A., 

A. H. Batce, M.A., 

Rev. J. Radford Thomson, M.A., 

Rev. William Arthur, 

Sib W. Muir, 

Rev. A. B. Bruce, D.D.. 

Alexander Maoalister, M.A., M.D C 

Rev. G. F. Maclear,D.D., 

Rev. J. Stoughton, D.D., 

Rev. R. MoCheyne Edgar, M.A.. 

Rev. John Cairns, D.D., 

Sir J. William Dawson, F.R.S., 

Rev. W. S. Lewis, M.A., 

Rev. John Kelly, 

Rev. M. Kaufmann, M.A., 

° VT ON GlRDLESTONE, 

**..*. I others. 



Can you in any other shape add to your library so much valuable 
material with so small an expenditure? 

These have until lately been sold at $1.25 per vol., $12.50 per set. 
The price has now been reduced to $10.00 per set, and we make the 
following 

Special Offer, viz. : We will send this remarkable set of books to 
any minister for the special net price of $7.50 Per Set. 



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